
Book 



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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 





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Gfl^Liflflt) OF SO^Q 




BY 



MARY E. GRIFFIN 



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CHICAGO 

THE BLAKELY PRINTING COMPANY 

1905 



76 -^^13 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

NOV 27 1905 

. Copyriirht Entry 

CLASS >? XXC. No. 

COPY 4. 



Copyright, 1905, by 
MARY E. GRIFFIN 



To Her who was the 
Teacher and Guide of Child- 
hood and Girlhood, the 
best beloved Priend and the 
Inspiration of Womanhood, 

I offer these simple flowers that 

I have gathered along the busy 

roads of life, and woven 

into a Garland of Song. 

THE AUTHOR 



ONE YEAR AGO. 

The wreath of song I bring, Beloved, 

Is twined with lowly flowers, 
But all were gathered, fresh and sweet, 

In Love's immortal bowers. 
And nestling close to every bud 

Are benisons from me, 
As pure as sheen of morning dew 

On blossom-sprinkled lea. 

O, chain of love that ever clasped 

My brother's heart to mine, 
Through days of calm and days of storm, 

Through shade and fair sunshine, 
A year ago, this sunny May, 

Another link you found, 
Strong and enduring as the first, 

And three, not two, it bound. 

My sister! 'Tis a holy name 

I gave thee on that day. 
Replete with music as the birds 

That carol through the May. 
For his dear sake I loved thee then. 

But now 'tis for thy own. 
The portals to Love's inner room 

Are widely open thrown. 



10 GARLAND OF SONG 



Spring's promises are all fulfilled 

When May bids earth rejoice, 
And Nature chimes in sweet accord 

With her entrancing voice. 
The buds that ope, the birds that sing. 

Breathe out, 'The Summer day" 
With its rich hoard of precious stores 

Will follow beauteous May. 

O well Beloved ! Life's days to you 

Forever be the May! 
With hope and peace and trusting love 

The flowers along the way ! 
And let those blossoms speak of lands 

Beyond the changing skies, 
Where hope is lost in endless peace 

And love in Paradise! 

Full well I know, my precious ones, 

Those lines but ill reveal 
The sister's heart, so fondly true 

To you in woe or weal. 
But to thy care, O Virgin Queen, 

My dear ones I commend ! 
Guide, bless, and love them evermore! 

From every ill defend! 



GARLAND OF SON G 11 



SNOWFLAKES. 

The snow came down in the loveliest forms, 

On the baby's coat of red ; 
He smiled as he grasped, but his sobs broke forth- 

As his beautiful "stars" lay dead. 

We grasp at the joys that are flying by, 

While we revel within their light. 
But the tears flow fast when they disappear 

In the gloom of a starless night. 

But once they were ours, and I do not think 

'Tis truth that the poet sings : 
T|hat a "sorrow's crown of sorrow is 

Remembering happier things." 

I know that a grateful strain pervades 

The song of my life to-day, 
For the joys and the love that sent their rays 

From the skies of my varied way. 



THE SCULPTOR. 



Hast thou ever gazed on the sculptor 
As he worked at the huge rough block ? 

Hast thou seen how he struck and chiseled 
Hard, deep, through the marble rock? 

Now here and now there he touches 
With a skill that is sharp and true, 



12 GARLAND OF SONG 

Till at last in its marvelous beauty 
'Tis standing most fair to view. 

Like the block, O Heavenly Sculptor, 
We lie 'neath Thine eyes of love ! 

Wilt Thou form us into the statues 
That will stand in the niches above? 

Ah! not like the silent marble 

Will we lie 'neath the touch of pain, 

But will shrink and quiver in anguish 
While the blows fall down like rain ! 

Though well we know, O Master ! 

That 'tis only by suffering's hand 
That we're cut and carved and chiseled, 

Made perfect for Beulah Land ! 

O help us to pray, dear Savior, 

With thy great, grand Saint of yore :- 
"Here cut, here burn, O Jesus ! 
But spare us when life is o'er!" 



SACRED HEART. 



When the conflict rages fast 

'Twixt the powers of grace and sin, 
And despite our efforts strong. 

Evil forces seem to win. 

Sacred Heart, O help us ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 13 



When the air is redolent 

With the fragrant joys of life, 

And we drift far off from thee, 
Farther e'en than in the strife. 
Sacred Heart, O help us ! 

When the shades of sorrow fall, 

And we grope with tear-dimmed sight, 

Help us find Thee in the dark, 

Help us love Thee though Thou smite. 
Sacred Heart, O help us ! 

When all labor seems in vain, 
Ceaseless prayer is still denied. 

Help us love Thee even then. 
Heart of Jesus crucified. 

Sacred Heart, O help us! 

Some day, battles, sorrows, joys, 
Labor, all, will have an end. 

Then when Death the curtain drops, 
Be our stay, our tender friend. 
Sacred Heart, O help us ! 



WINONA. 

(To Sister M. B.) 

Quaffing again to deepest depths 

The cup of joy untold! 
Living once more the halcyon hours. 

The precious days of old! 



14 GARLAND Of SONG 



Meeting again in love's warm clasp 
The hands of faithful friends! 

Listening once more to old-time tales 
While ''Home's" sky o'er me bends ! 

O flowery paths and shady groves, 

Each leaf seems whispering to my soul 

Of peace, of tenderness and love, 

As backward turns dear Mem'ry's scroll ! 

never was there spot so fair, 
O'er all the lovely lands of earth, 

As thou to me, enchanted groves. 

Where came the grace of "second birth !' 

1 stand within the hallowed walls 
Where Faith's grand blessing came to me. 

And O the rapture of it all 

Is only known, my God, to Thee! 

I walk along "God's acre" still. 

To waft a prayer and drop the tear. 

For friends asleep in Christ ; to sense, 
So far away! to Faith, so near! 

The consecrated hands beloved. 

That touch my own these summer days. 
Are opening doors to where the sun 

Of joy sends out the purest rays! 
Ah, nevermore those gates will close. 

Nor that bright sunlight fail to gleam. 
For Memory's hands will fold them back. 

And capture every golden beam ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 15 

I bless Thee, O my Spouse beloved ! 

For this pure joy vouchsafed to me! 
It adds so many golden links 

In Love's fair chain that binds to Thee ! 
And what, I ask, must be the depth, 

The wondrous wealth of Heaven's bliss, 
When "Home again !" with friends beloved, 

Begets a rapture like to this ! 



ARCHBISHOP FEEHAN. 

Now sweetly sleep ! The way was long, 
The road was ofttimes steep. 

'Twas weary work to climb the hill. 
Now sweetly, sweetly sleep! 

To be God's faithful servant is 

No easy task. To wear 
His purple and His ring oft means 

His heavy cross to share. 

All secretly thy noble heart 

Bled 'neath the shafts of pain ; 

The "Soldier of the King" must face 
The battles' fiery rain. 

To be the Father, Guide and Friend, 
Means troubled days and years ; 

To be the Shepherd of the Flock 
Brings bitter doubt and fears. 



16 GARLAND OF SONG 



And thou for whom the requiems toll 
Wast all of these. Now rest, 

For when the Master came He found 
Thee watching. Thou are blest! 

O may the Shepherd sent to guard 
The stricken, mourning fold, 

Within the gates find Love and Peace, 
With shining wings unrolled ! 



'Tor the Nezv has charms which the Old has not, 
And the Stranger's face makes the Friend's forgot. 



Along the shining beach one day 

I found this tinted shell. 
And placed it here 'mid treasures rare 

That matched its beauty well. 
Yet, lift it up. 'Twill sing for thee 

A sad, a moaning strain : — 
'Tis longing for the dear old sea. 

With yearnings deep as vain. 

A blossom blue that bent above 

A sparkling sun-kissed brook, 
I bore away and thought 'twould bloom 

With roses in this nook. 
The frail head drooped, the azure eyes 

Were closed ; the roses' gleam 
Could not replace in violet's heart 

The cool, clear woodland stream. 



GARLAND OF SONG 17 



O, poet with the silvery tongue ! 

'Tis false, that note of thine! 
It sends a harsh, discordant ring 

All through the flowing line! 
The stranger's orbs ne'er sparkled so 

They dimmed a dear one's eyes, 
And never stars shone half so bright 

As those in homeland skies ! 

No voices wake a sweeter strain 

Than tones that won us first! 
Strange hands may hold a brimming cup, 

We cannot slake our thirst 
Altho' 'tis filled with friendship's wine, 

For O, we long the while, 
To drink the nectar flowing from 

A dearer touch and smile ! 



For the Old has charms which the New has not. 
And no Stranger's face makes the Friend's forgot. 



IN THE SHADOW OF THE PINES. 

'Twas thus you headed words of love 

That flew to me to-day, 
From far-off northern lake-girt lands, 

Beside the wind-swept bay. 

I prayed, while drinking from the joy 
Through all the flowing lines — 

"No heavier shadows may life bring. 
Than 'shadows of the pines !' " 



18 GARLAND OF SONG 



For if, like them, the shadows fall 
When love and hope are near. 

They'll only make the sunshine glow 
With radiance far more clear. 

So thus I prayed as streams of joy 
Poured from those flowing lines — 

''Life's shades to you no darker be, 
Than 'shadows of the pines !' " 



A PORTRAIT. 



The dear old home holds spirits bright, 
And forms and faces fair ; 

And eyes aglow with happy light, 
And snowy brows are there. 

But sweetest soul abides in her 
Whose portrait now I paint ; 

A worded picture, where the lines 
Are all too dim and faint, 

To do her justice; eyes of blue, 
And locks of nut-brown hair. 

Soft cheeks where rose and lily bloom. 
An earnest brow and fair. 

A soul where purity is shrined, 

A heart as true as steel, 
Where you or I could safely trust 

Our deepest woe or weal. 



GARLAND OF SONG 19 



A mother's pride, a father's joy, 
The one we love so well, 

God bless our household angel bright, 
Our winsome, blithesome Nell ! 



SUNSHINE. 



Little Sunshine ! Little Sunshine ! 

All too soon you stole away, 
Slipped from out the hearts that loved you, 

Went to greet Eternal Day. 
Far upon the "Mount of Beauty," 

Where the "clean of hand" abide. 
Little Sunshine! Only Jesus 

Coulci have wooed you from our side ! 

Only He whose tender message 

Through the shadowy aisles of time 
Greet our ears like music mellow 

Of an old cathedral chime — 
"Suffer little children near Me! 

Let them gather at My knee! 
For of such is my pure Kingdom ! 

Suft'er ihem to come to Me !" 

Little Sunshine! thou art happy! 

Arms divine encompass thee! 
Joys celestial flood thy spirit. 

From earth's fetters ever free ! 



20 GARLAND OF SONG 



But O Thou who took our darHng, 
Pity, strengthen, help, we pray, 

For the heavy shades enfold us 
Since our Sunshine went away! 

Little Sunshine! Father's darling! 

Mother's household angel sweet! 
Let thy rays of heavenly beauty 

Beam around our faltering feet! 
May we walk in God's sweet favor 

Till we meet thee. Sunshine blest. 
In the little children's Kingdom — 

Home of love and peace and rest! 



GROWING OLD. 



Thrice blessed peace, that hovers o'er 

The life that's growing old, 
With oars at rest and ebbing tide 

Shining in sunset gold! 
The fuel of youth's strong desires 

Is burned to ashes white. 
But all undimmed the lamp of love 

Throws 'round its lambent light! 

O peaceful days! I love you well. 

Like vesper hymns you seem! 
Low and subdued your tones breathe 'round 

Till but of God I dream! 



GARLAND OF SONG 21 



The mem'ries of the past return, 

But restful days, I'd give 
Thee not, e'en though 'twere mine again 

Youth's buoyant hours to live! 

For looking back I'm glad they're o'er, 

The battles fierce and long 
Each day saw waged with world and self. 

Self with its passions strong! 
Glad that I've learned the worth of earth. 

Glad for the good I've done ! 
Glad for the sorrow that sanctified, 

Glad for the love I've won ! 

Aye, glad for the love still glowing warm 

For true, tried friends of yore. 
Some with me still, some passed beyond 

To Heaven's shining shore ! 
For love that never "groweth old," 

Though eye is dim, and form 
Is bent, but lives in vigorous youth 

In hours of peace and storm ! 

O vesper hours of twilight dreams, 

So fraught with happy rest ! 
Homeward, dear God, I drift to Thee, 

To anchor with the Blest! 



22 GARLAND OF SONG 



FIFTY YEARS WEDDED. 

The soft May winds are blowing, 
While blossoms pink and white 

Are dropping on earth's bosom, 
In floods of rosy light. 

The songsters' notes are ringing, 
The world seems filled with life ; 

With all spring's rarest promise, 
The very air is rife. 

'Twas in life's radiant May-time 
You plighted troth and love; 

The way was fair before you, 
The skies were clear above. 

Our Mother Mary's blessing 
Fell o'er your hearts that day. 

And ever since you've held it 
Along life's varied way ! 

Dear hearts, you've been together 
Through many, many years! 

You've known the lights and shadows, 
The sunny smiles and tears ! 

And now the golden sunset 

Enfolds you in its glow, 
To find you leal and loyal 

As you were long ago! 



GARLAND OF SONG 23 



I pray that God's own blessings 
May hover o'er your way, 

And guide and keep your loved ones 
All through life's checkered day. 

And may He grant our wishes 
For happiest future years, 

Until the "Diamond Jubilee" 
To your glad eyes appears ! 



ADIEU. 

When Summer donned her fairest robes 

And walked the earth a queen, 
Whose every tone awoke the flowers. 

And wooed the sunlight's sheen! 
When skies were blue as sapphires clear, 

The air with music rife, 
In joy she stood 'neath homeland skies, 

For there were Love and Life ! 

Ah ! Death will never dare invade 

When "Father" stands beside 
To shield and save his "little girl," 

His one ewe lamb, his pride ! 
While "husband" pleads, while children pray, 

While life is in its prime, 
O, dark-winged angel hovering near, 

Fly on ! Not yet thy time ! 



24 GARLAND OF SONG 



Not yet ! Not yet ! Go take the old, 

The hearts tired out with strife! 
Not her who stands with beaming eyes 

On sunny meads of Hfe! 
O let her stay! For earth is sweet, 

And Love is strong and true! 
Her arms are filled with treasures rich 

That ne'er were meant for you ! 



But he folded his pinions, that Angel so dark, 

And he clasped to his bosom his prize, 
Then away through the ether his burden he bore, 

Away through the summer-day skies! 
As he flew with his treasure he sang a sweet song, 

And its music still rings in the air! 
Let us gather its notes as he passes along. 

And weave them in melody fair ! 



"Come with me! Fll bear you on 

To the Heart of Mary's Son ! 
Life is sweet, but death is bliss. 

Give to life your parting kiss ! 
Qose your eyes in slumber deep ! 

Ope them where no shadows creep! 
Clasp your loved in fond embrace, 

Soon you'll meet them face to face, 
In the land where no good-bye 

Wakes the shadows in the sky!" 



GARLAND OF SONG 25 



Adieu ! Adieu ! We'll whisper low 

No saddening farewell ! 
For thou art quaffing deep of bliss 

Of which no tongue can tell ! 
Adieu! We would not wake thee now 

From slumber calm and deep, 
Thou'rt safe with Him, O well-beloved! 

In His strong arm, O sleep ! 



STRENGTH. 



Upon a hill, not far away, 

There stands a tree alone; 
Around it many storms have raged 

And many sunbeams shone. 

But still it tov/ers far above, 

In strength and might serene. 
Ne'er bending toward the trees that deck 

The sward below with green. 

How oft I've gazed and deemed it like 

Some soul on Duty's hill: — 
Strong in the strength that comes from God 

To those who do His will. 

Not caring for the storms of scorn, 

Nor for approval's sun, 
But satisfied if still he hears 

The Master's sweet "Well done!" 



26 GARLAND OF SONG 

Oh, if our weak and restless souls 

Striving for sordid aims, 
So happy when the world approves, 

So downcast when it blames — 

Could climb the heights and spend in toil 
For God, our strength and skill, 

Full soon would fall the soothing peace 
That breathes o'er Duty's hill. 



ON THE HILL. 



Up on the hill where the breezes waft 

All their treasures of sweets to me, 
Scent from the clover in meadows wide, 

Scent from the flower-besprinkled lea; 
Under the trees where the robin sings 

Clearest of notes this Summer day, 
Here on the hill is peace profound. 

Driving all thoughts of care away. 

Sailing across an azure sea, 

Billowy clouds as white as the snows 
Bend o'er the grasses and golden grain. 

Bowing to every breeze that blows. 
Down in the meadows the soft-eyed kine 

Patiently lie in the clover sweet, 
Butterflies flit from flower to flower 

Sipping their wine in this calm retreat. 



GARLAND OF SON G 27 

Beautiful world! it seems to-day, 

Sorrow and care ne'er lived in thee ! 
Here is naught but a restful calm, 

Here on the hills 'neath the old oak tree. 
Life, if a cloudless Summer day 

Perfect as this you e'er could be, 
Soon we'd forget the Home above. 

Finding our all of bliss in thee ! 



THE RAIN. 



The sun his warmest rays sends forth 
From skies of cloudless blue, 

And not a sound breaks o'er the calm 
That reigns the whole air through. 

The streamlet flowing o'er the stones 

Forgets its music sweet; 
The birds are still, the grasses brown. 

The flowers droop 'neath the heat. 



But now, list the whispering all through the trees ! 
'Tis a voice that we welcome, the voice of the breeze ! 
He sings of the coming of soft, cooling rain, 
And the birds and the blossoms rejoice at his strain. 

He marshals his forces, the clouds o'er the skies ! 
He calls out his orders as onward he flies ! 
Down, down at the voice of the chief fall the showers. 
And welcome ! sing songsters and brooklet and flowers ! 



28 GARLAND OF SONG 



How oft when we droop in the heat of the day, 

Worn out by the trials we meet on Hfe's way, 

A message is wafted from Hps that we prize, 

And strengthened and cheered for the combat, we rise ! 



BLUE EYES. 



O eyes, as blue as Summer skies! 

I'll search your depths to-night. 
And read the language written there 

Beneath your azure light! 

Across your surface ripple waves 

Of mirth, but far below 
Are rays that wake to life, when thought 

And feeling warmly glow! 

The glance of earnest thought bespeaks 
The strong, the active mind ! 

The frank, clear gaze, the soul beneath 
Where purity is shrined! 

And look of fondest trust that glows 
When friendship is the theme, 

O who would not be glad to wake 
Within those orbs love's gleam ! 

For then, within your sunny deep, 

Are rays I know and love, 
That say, "The heart I yield my own, 

Is true as skies above!" 



GARLAND OF SONG 29 



O life! if you the darkened side 

Reveal to orbs of blue. 
The tears that flow will only make 

Them shine with softer hue ! 

For azure eyes, the rays therein 
Thus write in words of light, — 

"While love is mine, it matters not 
If skies be dark or bright. 

For love and trust will make my day, 
Their loss, — my starless night !" 



"IF." 

'Tf" sorrow with her folded wings 

Ne'er brooded o'er life's hours, 
How many buds of love and peace, 

Would ripen not to flowers ! 
For sweetest blossoms often seek 

The lonely shaded ways, 
And upward waft their odors rich, 

When shine no sunny rays. 

"If" we e'er walked the narrow path 

In our own strength secure, 
Vain-glory, love of fame or friends. 

Ne'er tainting motives pure ; 
No helping hands of ours would stretch 

To brothers weak as we, 
While still we prayed with lowly hearts, 

"May God our helper be!" 



30 GARLAND OF SONG 

"If" we should lose the trusting love 

That stronger grows each day, 
How much of hope, of joy, of strength, 

Would steal from life away! 
O while the years with ruthless hands. 

Bear much we prize from sight, 
Father of all ! leave in our hearts. 

Love's angel form of light ! 



THE LIGHT OF HOME. 

How densely dark the shadows fall. 

As night creeps on apace! 
And snow and sleet together whirl 

In fierce tempestuous race! 
But what brook I the tempest wild 

As crowded streets I roam ! 
Each onward step brings nearer still 

The radiant light of home. 

Blow, bitter winds ! Drop, if you will, 

Your clinging robes of snow ! 
The burning, beaming fires at home 

Will melt it in their glow! 
Fall, shadows, fall ! Your deepest gloom 

Will vanish in the light 
That streams in clear, undying rays 

From 'round the hearthstone bright. 



GARLAND OF SONG 31 



Home ! and I greet the noble wife 

Whose large, dark, trusting eyes 
E'er mirror forth the loyal love 

That in her heart-depths lies ! 
Home ! Home ! and ''Papa ! Papa !" 

Rings in childish tones of glee ! 
I clasp her close, my brown-eyed girl, 

My bonnie maiden wee ! 

Fierce storms outside ! sweet peace within ! 

O light of home ! I praise 
The God whose loving care awoke 

Thy joy-inspiring rays! 



A WISH. 



O would that in those eyes of thine. 

My own might fondly gaze, 
To see if still within them shine 

The light of olden days ! 

To watch the earnest feeling rise. 
And wake the fires that sleep, 

Or see the laugh send dancing beams 
Across the sparkling deep ! 

But it may be the world's cold touch 
Has changed those eyes of brown, 

And made the depths so deep and dark 
Mv own could not pierce down. 



32 GARLAND OF SONG 

Yet I can ne'er believe them so. 

But dream they'll ever be 
Lit with the old unchanging light 

For me, at least, for me! 

Dear Angels ! guard those well-loved eyes 

Until at last I gaze 
Within their depths and wake again 

The light of happier days ! 



WRINKLES. 



They are seen on the brow of the youthful, 

They come with the footsteps of age ! 
They are pencilled by suffering's fingers, 

Or drawn by the thoughts of the sage ! 
They appear with the teardrops of sorrow, 

Or come where the laughter-light glows, 
But the wrinkles that tell me a story. 

Are those that some mother's face shows. 

With eyes that are reverent I watch them, 

Those lines drawn by love or by care ! 
They whisper of nights that were sleepless 

Of hopes that were blighted ; of prayer. 
They tell of the dear faces hidden 

Away 'neath the mantle of death. 
Or speak of the blossom she cherished 

That was blasted by sin's icy breath ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 



O, lines that reveal a life's story! 

I'm sure you will plead at the Throne, 
That mercy for weakness or erring 

Be unto the mother-hearts shown! 



THE ANGELUS BELLS. 

Borne on the air of the Spring-time mom 

Floats the music of the bells, 
And our spirits drift to the "Long Ago" 

Whose tidings sweet it tells. 
"Hail full of grace!" the chimings sing, 

"Hail full of grace!" our souls repeat! 
Ring softly, slowly, bells of love, 

The Angel's greeting meet! 

Ring soft and low as the balmy wind 

That breath':^s among the trees, 
For the One you greet was gentle as 

The faintest Summer breeze. 
Ring loud and strong as the fiercest gale 

That blows in Winter wild. 
For the victory won o'er the tyrant sin 

By the Mother and her Child. 

"Hail full of grace !" Beloved of God, 

'Tis all our hearts can say! 
"Hail full of grace!" the Lord is thine, 

And thou art blessed for aye ! 



34 GARLAND OF SONG 

Hail Lily-Cup! o'erbrimming with 

The sweetest of God's love ! 
Hail Rose of Light ! Hail Violet pure 

In the chosen bower above. 

Cheer us when clouds hang dark above, 

And guard us safe through sunny ways, 
For dangers hide in flowery glens, 

And Death may lurk in brightest rays; 
Ring on, sweet bells ! for she is blest 

Forevermore to see God's face ! 
Chime on ! chime on ! in dulcet tones, 

''Hail full of grace ! Hail full of grace !" 



THE QUESTION. 



"Would you like to die while the streamlet of youth 

Is gliding along its sunniest way. 
And your boat floats on by the flowery shore 

While the balmiest breezes o'er it play? 
When the bark of Friendship is sailing beside, 

O'erladen with treasures the heart-depths prize. 
When Fame can be won and good can be done. 

Would you wish Death's hand to darken the skies ?" 
We list to the promise the brooklet gives, 

We look aloft on the azure sky, 
We clasp our beloved to our trembling hearts, 

"No ! no ! not in youth is the time to die !" 



GARLAND OF SONG 35 



"Would you like to die," says a thrilling voice, 

''To sail to my Home while the heart is pure ? 
To go while your loved ones are still your own 

And await them there in your bliss secure? 
Shall I send my sleep e'er you've tasted all 

The embittering draughts of a false world's fame, 
Will you come and learn the grand love of the heart 

That broke for you on the Cross of shame ?" 
We look on the world with its loveless lives. 

Its blighted hopes and severed ties ; 
We think on the land where joy e'er lives, 

And the bliss of loving never dies. 
We turn to our Lord with outstretched arms 

"O let us not stay till Age draws nigh ! 
Take us home ! Take us home ! e'er the bloom is gone. 

For youth, fresh youth is the time to die!" 



TO MY MOTHER. 



Out from the merry, laughing throng, 

Where pleasure reigns supreme, 
I steal away, my own beloved. 

Of thee and home to dream. 
Here 'neath the beaming, starlit skies, 

Here in the calm of night. 
My soul forgets the scene within. 

To wing to thee its flight. 

I miss thee, mother! By thy side 
Once more I long to be, 

To nestle near the heart that throbs 
With constant love for me. 



36 GARLAND OF SONG 



Ring, loudest song and merriest jest, 
You fail to still my longing cry, 

Though hearts beside yield me their love, 
I miss thee, mother! still I sigh. 

O love, the truest, kindest, best 

My life shall ever know ! 
The charm of living would be lost, 

If thou wert not below ! 
God keep thee, dear one ! soon again 

Within thy arms I'll rest! 
And in my treasured home once more 

With sweet content be blest! 



THE CONVENT CHAPEL. 

Sweet home of our Jesus ! how peaceful you seem 

On this happy, this beautiful day! 
Here kneeling within thee, our spirits can dream 

Of naught but the Home far away ! 
The lilies are swaying beneath thy dear eyes, 

The roses are blushing, so near Thee they lie ; 
The lights are aglow like the stars in the skies, 

Happy flowers ! Happy rays ! in His honor to die ! 

Our poor restless natures before Him are still. 
The world and its dreams of ambition forgot! 

There's a song in our souls like the song of the rill, 
The music of peace that the earth knoweth not. 



G ARLAND OF S ON G 37 



We dread to go out 'mid the rude, clashing sounds 
Of a world every busy with things of a time, 

We dread the temptations in which it abounds 
May steal from our heart-strings this sweet angel- 
chime ! 

Dear, dear little chapel ! we lingered beside 

To ponder the love of the One hidden there. 
Till we longed in His pure, peaceful dwelling to hide 

Till life with its dangers was over fore'er! 
Ah, yes ! 'twould be bliss to sit at His Feet 

And drink in the beauty that beamed from His 
Heart, 
As He spoke to our souls in His accents sweet : 

''Beloved, thou hast chosen the better part !" 

But duty is calling, and Jesus we go. 

For Thou wilt come with us as Savior and Guide ; 
The billows may threaten, the tempest may blow. 

What matter, dear Pilot, if Thou art beside? 
Come dangers and trials, our hearts know not fear ! 

In the wide, busy world, a sweet chapel we've 
found, 
'Tis the wound in the Side, 'tis the Love shining near. 

Be it sadness or gladness that's reigning around! 



38 GARLAND OF SONG 



REV. PATRICK J. MULCONRY, S. J. 

O Death ! full well we know to-day, 

The shining" mark is dear 
To thee, when through our tears we gaze 

Upon thy victim here! 

On him, the strong, the brave, the true, 

God's priest. His chosen one, 
Laid low while still his eyes were turned 

Towards life's clear, rising sun ! 

Laid low, while still his priestly hands 
Were gathering fruits for God ! 

Ah, splendid type of strength! 'tis hard 
To give thee to the sod ! 

O well beloved ! Thou ever made 

Thyself be "all to all," 
Like Paul of old, that souls might turn 

Responsive to thy call ! 

That silvery tongue whose eloquence 

Enchanted all who heard. 
Bore, on the music of its notes, 

God's grand enduring Word! 

O St. Ignatius' loyal son ! 

For God thy strength was spent! 
Thou hast returned, a hundred-fold, 

The talents that He lent. 



GARLAND OF SONG 39 



In many a soul that thou hast saved, 

Thy name is shrined to-day; 
They'll twine it round with love's fair flowers, 

And bless thee while they pray! 

We'll bear thee on to sweetest rest, 

Ignatius' soldier brave! 
For death, no victory is thine. 

Nor sting in thee, O grave! 



THE DYING SUMMER. 

Summer, Summer, clothed in beauty! 

Loath we are to see you fly! 
Bearing far from sight the radiance 

That you poured o'er earth and sky! 

You so rich in perfumes precious. 
Floating on the Zephyr's wing. 

Sweet in grand entrancing music, 
Making hill and forest ring! 

Breathe around your tones melodious, 
Let your balmy breezes blow. 

Memory will retain the blessings, 
That you scatter as you go! 

Still again we hope to greet you 
When the wintry days are o'er. 

Smiling with a rarer beauty 
Than you ever knew before! 



40 GARLAND OF SONG 

As we trust to meet the dear ones 
Who have ghded from our sight, 

In the Summer lands eternal 
In love's paradise of light! 



LOVE. 

There's a beautiful light in this world below 

That illumines its gloomiest days, 
And the darker the night is the fairer its glow. 

The brighter its life-giving rays. 

If the shadows of sorrow obscure the soul's sky. 
Let this beacon of love shine abroad. 

And the clouds of adversity lighten and fly 
Near this glorious gift of our God! 

O fond, human love, so strong and so pure, 

No darkness thy glory can fade. 
And no power on the earth can thy beauty allure 

From the heart where thy dwelling is made. 

For Love is a blessing the Father has sent 
To cheer us, to guide and to save. 

To beam on our pathway till life's day is spent. 
And but die in the night of the grave. 

Yes, Death ends it all ! O seek higher, dear soul, 
For the love that will burn on fore'er. 

And find it where years of Eternity roll 
In that beautiful Home over there ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 41 



A FRAGMENT. 

The leaves so russet, red and golden brown, 
On every wind are sending "good-byes" down. 

The grasses fading 'neath the Autumn sky 
Are whispering as they wither fast, "good-bye !" 

In music of the birds as south they fly 

To sunny climes, is ringing forth, "good-bye!" 

And I, to scenes most fair and dear hearts true. 
Am breathing not "good-bye" but fond "adieu !" 



LIZZIE. 

"A Happy New Year!" Lizzie dear, 

With all my heart I say! 
"A Happy New Year !" though you lie 
In Death's deep sleep to-day. 
For what is life, with all its bliss, 

Compared to endless rest? 
The joys of earth are fleeting ones, 
The peace of God is best ! 

Thy mother's love encompassed thee, 
Her arms were round thee twined. 

And where but in thy God couldst thou 
A kinder refuge find? 



42 GARLAND OF SONG 



And when upon thy cheek, dear friend, 
Her farewell kiss was pressed, 

God grant thou slept to waken in 
The home of angels blest! 

And so, dear Lizzie, sleeping now. 

With all our hearts we say: 
"A Happy New Year" with thy God! 

A happy, endless day! 
No night to dim its beauty rare, 

No clouds to veil its skies. 
No pain, no loss, no sighs, no tears — 

Just bliss in Paradise! 



APPLE BLOSSOMS. 

A golden glory fills the earth 

From June's most perfect day. 
While grandma sits with folded hands 

And dreams the hours away. 
The sunlight's slender arrowy beams 

Steal in through ivied shade 
To fall athwart her wrinkled brow. 

And face of little maid. 

A winsome maid with locks of jet, 
With dancing, laughing eyes 

As darkly blue as mountain streams 
That mirror forth the skies. 



GARLAND OF SONG 43 



Her arms are full of gifts she bore 
From orchards fair and wide, 

And apple blossoms rich with sweets 
She drops on every side. 

The dear old eyes bedimmed by age 

Ope on the scented mass ; 
Rest on the upturned love-lit face 

Of merry little lass; 
Pressing a fond, a yearning kiss 

Upon the youthful brow. 
Her tears flow fast — "O grandma, dear! 

Why are you weeping now?" 

"Ah, darling mine! Those rosy buds 

Have opened memory's door. 
While forms and faces dearly loved, 

Troop out from days of yore. 
I see again my childhood's home, 

The cot near shaded ways, 
Where filled with all that makes life sweet 

Were passed youth's merry days ! 

'At last there came a day when June's 

Rare odors filled the breeze ; 
I pledged my troth to him I loved 

Beneath the apple trees. 
And when a bride I bade good-bye 

To scenes where youth was spent, 
Across the hills the breezes bore 

The apple blossoms' scent. 



44 GARLAND OF SONG 



'Tis far across the sea, that home 

Where Shannon's waters lave, 
And grandpa Hes in southern soil 

Within a soldier's grave ! 
Yet this old heart each memory holds 

Within a sacred shrine, — 
But I must cease, e'er flow your tears ; 

Come kiss me, darling mine !" 

"I love you, darling grandma, mine! 

Just take me in your lap, 
And you and I and apple blooms 

Will have a long, long nap." 

They rest amid the blossoms pink, — 

One's course is but begun, 
The other drawing near the goal, — 

Life's race is almost won ! 
The sunbeams dart o'er locks of jet 

And those of snowy white; 
On tears and smiles, on shade and sun. 

On eve and morning light! 



JANUARY. 



Clad in robes of snowy white. 
Decked with gems of gleaming light. 
Blossoms 'neath my garments lie. 
Hushed in sleep; their lullaby 



GARLAND OF SONG 45 



Winds that ever moan and sigh, 
Sweeping past the snow-filled sky. 
Earthly artists rival not 
Scenes I paint in every spot. 
Voices ring in laughter loud 
From the skaters' merry crowd. 
Eyes of youth grow bright with glee 
When my whirling flakes they see. 
I'm the Frost King's champion bold, 
January, clear and cold ! 



BY THE FIRESIDE. 

The firelight's flickering shadows play 

Around the dim-lit room; 
Their slender fingers reach and clasp 

Each corner hid in gloom. 
And lo! they ope the door that hides 

The past away from sight. 
While forms and faces loved and lost 

Come trooping out to-night! 

I lie and gaze with half-closed eyes. 

And list as in a dream 
To tones that died in silence deep 

While gliding o'er death's stream ! 
I hear again the merry laugh 

Ring out from friends of yore, 
And eyes aglow with love and truth 

Look into mine once more ! 



46 GARLAND OF SONG 



The firelight dies. Its fingers touch 

No more the dim-Ht room ! 
The dear dream-faces fade away 

And vanish into gloom! 
A wave of longing for our dead 

Is sweeping o'er the soul, 
But outstretched hands grasp empty air, 

And shadows 'round us roll! 



OUR DEAREST ONE. 

We travel o'er the busy roads of earth, 

Where hand clasps hand, and speech meets speech ; 

But O, how varied are the lives we meet! 

How different are the hearts, the minds, the souls ! 

Some only touch us as they pass along. 

But never reach beyond the inner doors 

That guard the sacred rooms of hidden self. 

While some sweet, pure and holy lives steal in 

With all the gentle influence of the dew 

Upon the flowers, and soften and revive 

And strengthen struggling selves. 

'Twas thus that thou, 
O well beloved! from couch of pain sent forth 
The might of love and held each one of us 
Beneath its sway! No harsh, unkindly word 
Could live near thee, nor selfish envious thought 
Would dare to clothe itself in garb of speech. 
Or, if it did, those sad, sweet eyes of thine 



GARLAND OF SONG 47 



Would make it shrink, abashed into the darkness ! 
Our cares, our doubts, our griefs, were near thee laid. 
And when thy tender love breathed over them. 
They seemed no more. 

O pain-racked, fragile frame ! 
Thou wert the temple of a mighty soul, 
Upon whose altars ever burned the fires 
Of sacrifice, of patience, purity. 

And strength ! Oh, Death ! thou art a powerful king. 
But thou canst not destroy those rays of love, 
For memory like a vestal virgin pure. 
Alive, for aye, will keep them ! O well-beloved ! 
Thou art not dead ! Thy influence e'er will breathe 
O'er words and thoughts and deeds, and we will be 
Because of it the gentler, nobler, purer ! 

O white, strong soul, more fit for cloistered home 
Than busy world, we beg thy prayers may stretch 
Like a bright, golden chain, from thee to earth ! 
O let it twine around our mother's lonely life, 
So she may read upon each shining link, 
"God gave ! God took ! O may His will be done ! 
A little while, and I shall fold her close 
Where mother-love is victor over Death !" 



48 GARLAND OF SONG 



IN MEMORIAM. 

Dear heart, I cannot think that thou 

Hast bade us all "Good night!" 
Hast drawn the curtains of thy couch 

While still the day shone bright. 

And yet I hear the "Requiem Bells" 

Toll over thee, asleep ! 
A while ago the sun was high, 

Now fall the shadows deep ! 

Like Roman old, I mourn the friend, 

"Faithful and just to me;" 
O loyal heart ! Death stole a gem 

Of rarest worth, in thee ! 

Dear friend, the path was ofttimes dark. 

The stones beneath were sharp, 
And minor, wailing, yearning chords 

Rang out from life's great harp ; 

But through it all thy patient soul 
Strode on with strength from God ; 

And now when life was sweet and fair, 
They've laid thee 'neath the sod! 

Thou sleepest, but Death cannot still 

The influence of thy life, — 
The spring where deepest draughts we'll quaff 

In hours of pain or strife. 



GARLAND OF so NG 49 



And o'er the ''bairns" whose tender love 

In life, in death, was thine. 
The memory of thy noble soul 

In lambent light will shine ! 

May "God be with thee," friend of mine, 
Till breaks the morning light, 

Where nevermore upon our ears 

Will fall Death's sad ''Good Night!" 



4 



THE ASSUMPTION, 1904. 

No darksome tomb may veil from sight. 
The mother of her risen God ! 

The temple where the Christ-child dwelt 
Must never crumble 'neath the sod ! 

So angels in their reverent arms 
Upbore thee to thy God and Son ; 

Enthroned thee at His sacred side. 
Our Queen, while endless ages run ! 

When erring mortals fear to plead 
For pity from the Heavenly King, 

They kneel to thee, O tender one, 
And like the little children cling 

To thee, their Mother! Surely earth 
Would be a long and bitter way, 

If when the thorns and brambles tore, 
We dared not whisper, "Mary, pray!" 



50 GARLAND OF SONG 



O Mother Mary, Virgin pure, 
The beacon true o'er every way! 

We cling to thee in fondest trust, 
In life, in death, O for us pray! 



THE GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE IMMACU- 
LATE CONCEPTION DEC. 8, 1904. 

'Tis a glorious, golden sunlight. 

That is flooding earth's abode. 
Bathing in its streams of beauty, 

All that lies along its road. 
Immaculate ! 

Mother Church reached forth to grasp it 
With her powerful, loving hands. 

And those sunbeams, flowing from her. 
Stream to near and far off lands. 
Immaculate ! 

All her children throng together 

In the splendor of those rays. 
While throughout the earth are ringing 

Carols of their loving praise. 
Immaculate ! 

Without sin conceived, O Mary 

Pray for us, O Mother, pray! 
Jubilate ! hearts are singing ! 

Jubilate ! while we say 
Immaculate ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 51 



THE OLD YEAR. 

The old year's going ! The sobbing wind 

Wails out its requiem moan ; 
An old man sits by the dying fire 

In his mansion home alone ! 
Watching the embers' fitful glow, 

The darkly falling shades, 
Lower his head droops on his breast, 

Faster the firelight fades! 



it f 



Tis near ! 'Tis near ! the fair New Year ! 

But I welcome it not !" he cries, 
"And gladly I'd lay down the burden now. 

As the Old Year's echo dies ! 
For I'm weary of living with all its din. 

Weary of sin and pain. 
Weary of winning but Dead Sea fruits, 

Of toiling for shadows vain! 
Take me. Old Year, to your peaceful grave, 

Where they've borne the friends of my life ! 
Take me to rest, for I'm weary now 

Of my long, long day of strife !" 

"Dying ! Dying !" the breezes sob ! 

"Dead!" now floats on the wave! 
The shadows grow darker, the firelight dim, 

The Old Year rests in its grave! 
The silence grows deeper; a peaceful light 

Plays on the aged face ! 
The Old Year's dead, and he sleepeth, too. 

The last of an honored race ! 



52 GARLAND OF SONG 

'Tarewell to the Old ! Hail, hail to the New ! 

The New of joy and mirth ! 
How can men bear to die, and leave 

Their beautiful Mother Earth ! 
Fair shining world with its wealth and fame, 

Its noble hearts and true ! 
Bright, glorious life whose rainbow tints 

Just burst upon my view ! 
Your battles I fear not, for I will be 

The victor on every field ! 
Long may I live to taste the sweets 

Your stores of bounty yield !" 
Thus speaks the youth of the sunny brow 

As he greets the New Year entering now ! 



Sing on, dear boy, 'tis ever thus : 

Age glad to go ; Youth glad to stay ! 
May the world so trusted, ne'er deceive 

Nor stones of failure mark the way ! 
Like you, we'll bid the Old— ^'Godspeed !" 

It bears with it a varied load, 
While with deep trust in God, we'll turn 

To greet the New Year on the road. 



ONLY. 

'Twas ''only" a baby that Death bore afar, ♦ 

'Twas "only" a baby they say, 
But "Mother" bends o'er it with heart that will ache 

Full many a sorrowful day! 



GARLAND OF SON G 53 



'Tis ''only" a beggar with wistful eyes, 
There standing and pleading for bread, 

And yet 'tis the image of Him who had once 
No rest for His tired, sacred Head ! 

'Twas *'only" a smile that a treasured one gave. 

When weary and faint grew the soul. 
But it broke on the darkness like sunlight through 
clouds 

And strengthened we sped to the goal ! 

'Twas "only" a word from the lips that we love. 
Falling soft as the dew on the flowers. 

But 'twill shine evermore with its own chastened light, 
And illumine Earth's gloomiest hours ! 

O, 'tis "onlies" that make up the music of life, 
Some loud, and some soft, and some sad, 

And some that float upward in strains so divine. 
The Angels, God's Angels, are glad ! 



REV. JOSEPH M. FEELY, C. M., D. D. 

O richly dowered, noble, childlike soul, 
A garden fair wert thou in sight of Him 
Who made thee beautiful ! Who filled thee with 
The flowers of innocence, of God-like humbleness, 
So like the blossoms pure that bloom within 
The hearts of little ones ! O radiant mind, 
Aglow with intellect's all-shining gems, 



54 GARLAND OF SONG 



That ne'er were vaunted! Hidden till the Master 
Told thee bring them forth, that their white light 
Might stream upon the way, and lead to Him 
The souls of others ! O son of blest Saint Vincent ! 
The angels looked and smiled! The spotless Lamb 
Craved thee within His train, and lo, the call 
That won thee from our midst ! 

O priestly brother, 
Weeping now above thy well beloved ! 
O grieving mother-love 'neath Southern skies ! 
The music of my verse may soothe ! It sings 
Of him, the pure, the bright, the saintly one ! 
With God, for God, your treasure lived ! In God 
He died! That love, divine and measureless, 
Holds him for ever! O the little step 
From you to him, if you but think, how short 
Is time ! How long the happy, glad eternity ! 



SOULS IN EXILE. 



Far away in lonely exile 

From the Savior that we love, 

Waft we up our cry for mercy 
To the pitying Heart above — 
Miserere Domine ! 

Waiting for the Queen of Heaven, 
Bearing pardon from on high, 

Till she leads us 'mid the ransomed. 
Where no more we'll sadly sigh — 
Miserere Domine ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 55 



Friends whose heartstrings twined around us, 
While on earth we walked beside, 

Prayer from you will break our fetters. 
Let it float on love's strong tide — 
Miserere Domine ! 

When the prison gates are opened. 

And we bask in Heaven's rays. 
Then will rise for thee our pleadings, 

Mingled with our song of praise — 
Gloria, tibi, Domine! 



CHRISTMAS BELLS. 

Over the snow of the Northland sky. 
Over the South, where the song birds fly. 
Over the sad and over the glad. 
Over the good and over the bad, 

The Christmas bells are ringing! 

Ringing aloud the same old song. 
From Bethlehem's manger swelling along, 
"Glory to God this Christmas morn! 
Christ the King of Kings is born !" 

Thus Christmas bells are ringing! 

Born for the soul that's lily-white. 
Born for the heart as black as night. 
Born for the haughty and the meek. 
Born for the mighty and the weak! 
So Christmas bells are ringing ! 



56 GARLAND OF S ON G 

O Babe Divine, of beauty rare, 
Beside the Virgin Mother fair, 
With Joseph, spouse of Mary's heart, 
Give us this day the better part. 

While Christmas bells are ringing. 

The perfect Love ''that casts out fear," 
The Hope that ever shineth clear, 
The Faith that moves Doubt's mountains high, 
These are the gifts for which we sigh. 
While Christmas bells are ringing. 

Over the snows from Northland sky. 
Over the South where song birds fly. 
Over the lowly and high of earth, 
Is sung the hymn of the Savior's birth. 
While Christmas bells are ringing. 



A SMILE. 



A smile is a trifling thing, I know. 

Yet one we love to see. 
For cheery sunbeams 'round it gleam. 

And shadows from it flee. 

What though beneath the surface lies 
A weight of wearying care. 

Smile on the world, despite it all; 
Few wish your load to share. 



GARLAND OF SONG 57 



Come out and learn in Nature's school 

A lesson that she'll teach; 
Her voice will ring from distant skies 

Yet not beyond your reach. 

Though many dark storm-bearing clouds 
Have rolled athwart her face, 

See how the smiling stars and moon 
Veil from you every trace. 

And watch her during heaviest showers 

Still beam on you the while, 
Until at last through all her tears 

You see the rainbow smile. 

Then meet the world with smiles, dear friend, 

But in your woe and care. 
To Him who pities, cheers and guides, 

Fly, on the wings of prayer! 



NEW YEAR'S WISHES. 

May every heart that now is sad. 
Within the coming year be glad ! 
May every soul that's steeped in sin, 
Let Angels of Repentance in ! 
May heart's desires be granted thee. 
If to thy God they pleasing be ! 
May Love and Trust along thy way 
The evergreens of beauty lay ! 



58 GARLAND OF SO NG 

May this New Year the happiest be 
Of all that have been granted thee ! 
And may the future hold in store 
Of happy ones full many more ! 



IN THE WOODS. 



Come into the woods and the fragrance inhale 

Of blossoms, and list to the birds; 
And gaze on the sky, smiling blue overhead. 

They're all singing ''songs without words." 

Aye, "songs without words," and yet sweeter by far 

Than any that human lips sing, 
While they're teaching our hearts in the clearest of 
ways 

As upward their melodies wing. 

The flowers, as they bloom on their green grassy 
couch. 

Are whispering: ''Be pure in thy Hfe, 
Exhale the rich perfume of kind, gentle deeds, 

Be truthful and strong in the strife." 

The nests built so high by the songsters last year 
Have been whirled by the tempests to earth, 

But new homes are theirs and no minor strains 
Can be heard in their warblings of mirth. 



GARLAND OF SON G 59 



The storm clouds have sailed o'er that firmament blue, 

Yet see, it now smileth serene : — 
Resignation and faith, O clear skies and dear birds ! 

Are the virtues you teach us, I ween. 

Then come to the woods where the air is all balm, 

And list to the songs without words; 
They are swelling on high from the trees and the sky. 

From the flowers and the swift flying birds. 



"HE WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD." 

(Dedicated to "The Professor."*) 

Healing the sick, the suffering ones. 

The "Great Physician" went! 
Day in, day out, no rest for Him, 

His loving skill was lent! 
In "doing good" He went about, 

O grandly active life! 
What more could e'en the man God do. 

Where pain and sin were rife ? 

And with a skill God-given, grand, 

A "manly man" I see. 
Before the magic of whose touch 

Disease and suffering flee ! 
In "doing good" he goes about. 

Restoring health's rich glow. 
While "many rise and call him blessed," 

The poor, the high, the low! 



*Dr. Nicholas Senn, 



60 GARLAND OF SONG 



A "Great Physician !" Title grand, 

The grandest earth bestows ! 
It meaneth fame and grateful love, 

As *Moing good" he goes ! 
God hold undimmed the noble mind 

That seems of Him a part, 
Unweakened keep the skill sublime, 

And bless the strong, true heart ! 



EX-CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM F. MAHONEY. 

When the trees that are bent with the storms of the 
years 
Fall prone in the forest, we sigh ; 
When the saplings all rich with the buddings of 
youth 
Are struck by the bolt and low lie, 

We grieve for the promise of youth unfulfilled. 

For the beauty, departed from earth. 
For the leaves that but partly unfolded to view. 

For the buds that were killed in their birth. 

We gaze on thee, friend, like a tree in its prime. 

Cut down in the fullness of noon, 
On the big, manly form in the stillness of death, 

And we whisper, "It seemeth too soon!" 

Too soon, for thy life knew deep love from the wife, 
So sweet and so tender and true; 



GARLAND OF SONG 61 



From the children beloved and the sisters so dear, 
From friends that each pathway e'er knew. 

Too soon, for Hope's rainbow encircled life's sky, 
And the way seemed so straight and so bright ; 

But lo ! came the turn in the beautiful road. 
And their dear one had vanished from sight ! 

But O, if the Lord would reveal to the gaze 

What lies past the valley between. 
The music, the glory, that ear hath not heard. 

Nor eye of the human hath seen! 

The tears would be dried, and the grieving be stilled, 

The Cross would be patiently borne ; 
You'd give to his mother the boy of her heart, 

And wait till the dawn of God's morn. 



THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED 
VIRGIN. 

Moon of beauty, silvery gem, 
Set within the crown of night, 

How the splendor of the stars 
Pales beside thy limpid light! 

Mother Mary, radiant moon, 
Shining near the Sacred Heart, 

How the splendor of the saints 

Pales near ravs that from thee dart! 



62 GARLAND OF SONG 



Hail, thou spotless, snow-white soul, 
Even free from Adam's taint ! 

Of thy beauty marvelous, 

None can sing and none can paint ! 

Darksome tomb dare never hide 
That pure body, God's own shrine ! 

Angels bore it to the throne, 
Waiting near thy Son divine! 



LIFE'S SUNSET. 



Only waited "till the shadows 

Were a little longer grown," 
Till the golden gleams of sunset 

All along her way were thrown ; 
Till the harvest rich was ready, 

And the ripened grain was bound, 
Then the eyes were closed in slumber, 

In the peace of God profound. 

Dear old Saint ! I loved to greet thee 

In the vanished Summer days. 
Sitting in the shaded window, 

Looking out o'er "Village" ways! 
Loved to see the smile of welcome 

Lighting up the kindly face, 
While I felt the soul beneath it 

Was the temple of God's grace. 



GARLAND OF SONG 63 



Often through those quiet fingers 

Slipped the Virgin Mary's "Beads," 
While the "Ave !" softly whispered, 

Told thy Mother all thy needs! 
Surely her dear arms twined 'round thee 

When Death's shadows o'er thee fell ! 
Surely it was she that bore thee 

To the God thou served so well ! 

One by one the dear old faces 

Vanish o'er the sunset hills; 
Theirs the rapture of God's presence, 

Ours the hearts that sorrow fills! 
But we see Hope's star celestial. 

Shining in life's darkened sky, 
Whispering of the Land where never 

Falls the shadow of good-bye! 



FEBRUARY. 



I walk the earth with softer tread 

Than January bold ! 
I leave untouched the snowy veil 

O'er hill and valley rolled ! 
I waken not the tender flowers, 

Nor buds asleep on trees. 
Though loud and lusty songs I sing 

In every passing breeze ! 



64 GARLAND OF SONG 



SERMON IN SONG. 

Tlie earth is bathed in moonhght's waves, 

O'er which the summer sails, 
And, with a voice to music tuned, 

Breathes forth her varied tales. 
It seems as if the silver streams 

That flood the perfect night, 
Could never float a grief or care 

Adown their waves of light. 

Yet well we know the wondrous moon, 

The stars in far-off skies, 
The summer fair — all gaze upon 

Sad hearts and tear-filled eyes. 
And still from out their depths of calm 

I hear, it seems to me, 
"Cast all thy care upon the Lord, 

For He hath care of thee !" 

The Hand that guides the glowing orb 

Through soundless depths of blue, 
That holds it through the ages vast. 

Within its courses true. 
Will never give a cross so hard 

Thou'lt not have strength to bear. 
"Cast all thy care upon the Lord, 

For He of thee hath care." 

O perfect night! O gem so clear! 

Within the summer's crown ! 
Along each ray from yonder moon 

A stream of peace floats down. 



GARLAND OF SONG 65 



The wailing cry of sorrow dies, 
The doubts and worries flee ; 

The message falls: Cast cares on God, 
For He hath care of thee! 



GLORIA IN EXCELSIS! 

Lovely Queen, we kneel beside thee 

At the crib of Infant King! 
From our hearts we fondly greet thee, 

While the Christmas angels sing, 
Gloria in Excelsis Deo! 

Virgin purest. Virgin fairest. 

Fit to be our Jesus' own ! 
Bethlehem's stable with thee in it, 

Grander grows than earthly throne. 
Gloria in Excelsis Deo! 

Virgin purest, Virgin fairest. 

Whom the centuries love and praise. 
Waft to us a mother's blessing. 

As we echo Angels' lays, 

Gloria in Excelsis Deo! 

Bethlehem's King will not refuse thee 
Aught thou claimest from His Love; 

Grant, O grant, while Christmas carols 
Fly on music's wings above. 
In terra, pax! 

5 



66 GARLAND OF SONG 



MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Merry Christmas I Merry Christmas ! 

Hear it echo o'er the earth, 
While the Yuletide bells are telling 

Of the Infant Savior's birth ! 

Merry Christmas ! Merry Christmas ! 

Young and old take up the cry! 
May its music drown the suffering 

Of each sorrow's wailing sigh ! 

May all sinning die forever 

While its rhythmic wavelets float; 

Hatred, anger and dissension 
Perish in each swelling note! 

Merry Christmas ! Merry Christmas ! 

Hear it echo, near and far ! 
While the hearts of men grow purer 

'Neath the rays of Bethlehem's Star! 



ST. VINCENT'S MARTYRED CHILDREN. 

In the distant soil of China, 

Far away from home they love, 
Gathering in a wond'rous harvest 

For their glorious King above ! 
Sowing seeds that bud and blossom 

In each poor neglected soul. 
Till the fields, in matchless beauty, 

All around them verdant roll ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 67 

Chorus — 

Dear St. Vincent's martyred children! 

Blessed John Perboyre and Francis Clet ! 
Listen to our hymn of pleading 

Floating o'er the air to-day ! 

Still the years went rolling, rolling, 

Down the sloping hill of time, 
Till the sheaves were bound and gathered 

In that far-off Asia clime ! 
Then the shades of night were falling, 

Jesus bade His toilers rest. 
But the homeward pathway led them 

'Neath the cross that Christ caressed ! 

Chorus — 

Dear St. Vincent, did you greet them 

When the gates were opened wide? 
Did you lead your martyred children 

To the loving Savior's side? 
With them plead, O, dearest Father, 

Near the Master's Great White Throne, 
If we may not die for Jesus, 

We may live for Him alone! 

Chorus — 

Dear St. Vincent's martyred children! 

Blessed John Perboyre and Francis Clet! 
Listen to our hymn of pleading 
Floating o'er the air to-day ! 



68 GARLAND OF SONG 



TO M. S. 

It was a long", long life, old friend, 

And on the winding- way 
You met its sunshine and its storms. 

Its noon, its night, its day. 

No wondrous deeds are standing out 

Along the road you trod, 
But faithfulness to duty shines, 

And trust in man and God. 

Your children, weeping o'er their dead, 

This heritage retain — 
A life with record ever clear, 

A name without a stain. 

The day was long, yet night fell fast 

Across its radiance clear, 
But still the harvest was prepared 

For Him, the Master dear! 

And tender, consecrated hands 

Were laid within thy own, 
While streams of grace from Mother Church 

Upon thy soul were thrown ! 

Tasks done, it seems by far the best 

That life should steal away. 
No pangs of parting then are ours, 

Just night to glide from day! 



GARLAND OF SONG 69 

To fall asleep and waken near 

A God of mercy vast. 
And list from out His Sacred Heart, 

"My son, thou'rt home at last!" 



"EGO TE ABSOLVO." 

O love of our Savior that ne'er will decay! 

O mercy of Jesus that lasteth for aye! 
How grandly you burn in those words full of might, 

How brightly you glow with an undying light 
In "Ego te Absolvo!" 

All stained with the foulness and blackness of sin 
Come souls that are anxious new lives to begin, 

Before the Priest, kneeling, their guilt is laid bare. 
And hearts deeply sullied are made brightly fair 
By "Ego te Absolvo !" 

For the hand of the Priest is uplifted on high, 
His soft-spoken whisper upfloats to the sky, 

And if sorrow's clear waters will over it flow 
Then sin, even sin is made whiter than snow 
By "Ego te Absolvo !" 

Dear Savior! We kneel full of love at thy Feet, 
Thy sufferings procured us those graces so sweet. 

Thy blood for our sins and our miseries shed, 
Is flowing each day on the penitent's head 
With "Ego te Absolvo!" 



70 GARLAND OF SON G 



O, Jesus, dear Jesus ! may earth and may heaven 
Sing praises to Thee for the power thou hast given ! 

Forever, forever, with love may we glow 

For Thee, that so much love for us doth e'er show 
In "Ego te Absolvo !" 



UNDER THE TREES. 

The summer wind on trembling leaves 

Is playing sweetest strains. 
And waving branches shadows fling 

Over the grass-edged lanes. 

The long, warm hours I dream away, 

As under the trees I lie. 
And gaze on fleecy, feathery clouds. 

So lazily floating by. 

An hour like this, and memory comes 

With every peaceful day. 
That blossomed like the violets sweet, 

Along life's busy way. 

One day stands out from all the rest — 

A summer day like this. 
When, not alone, beneath the trees 

I drank in all its bliss. 

Two sparkling eyes of darkest blue. 

Two eyes of honest gray. 
Were shining with the thoughts that came 

And went that summer day. 



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71 



We talked of many, many things, 
Or dreamed in silence there; 

While I wove Fancy's fairest web 
Around that happy pair. 

And is my web destroyed? Ah, no! 

Blue eyes since flew away 
And nestled in a grand, strong soul, 

Whose windows are of gray. 

Now, lying here beneath the trees, 
I dream my dreams and pray 

That life, for those dear hearts, may be 
One happy summer day! 



AN ALLEGORY. 



Come, sail along with me, dear friends, 

Adown life's gentle tide. 
And let us moor our boat to rest 

Where meadows lie beside. 

A harvest fair is blooming there, 

The skies are blue and clear, 
While from the woods that skirt the edge, 

The birds' sweet strains we hear. 

Only a few short years ago, 

A barren plain it lay, 
And none who gazed e'er dreamed 

'Twould bud or blossom as to-day ! 



72 GARLAND OF SON G 



Only a few short years, but still 

The days were full of toil, 
The nights of care ! 'Twas weary work, 

The digging of the soil. 

At first the harvest seemed so scant, 

And heavy clouds of doubt. 
At earnest prayer refused to let 

The bow of promise out. 

And still they toiled, those harvesters, 
Their eyes and hearts on high ; 

Hands on the plough, hopes fixed on God, 
For him to do or die! 

And now the lovely meadow lies 

In all its beauty here. 
While songs of promise fill the air. 

And charm the listening ear! 

The meadow fair is our loved school. 
Our priests, our sisters dear. 

The toilers in the verdant field; 
The harvest? It is here. 

We'll give the world the grain that feeds 

The honest Christian life, 
That nerves the soul to fight its foes 

And win in prayerful strife. 

God bless the Presentation School! 
We're proud to call it ours! 



GARLAND OF SONG 73 



God keep the ones who give to it 
The fullness of their powers. 

God bless our people, stanch and true, 

And O, the most of all. 
We beg that on our Pastor loved 

God's benedictions fall! 



GOING BACK TO SCHOOL. 

A gentle, winsome little maid. 

In dainty garments fashioned fair. 

Receives Love's kiss, and starts to school. 
Its wondrous mysteries to share. 

The way to her is filled with joy. 
For "Sister" takes the little hand. 

To lead her on by easy steps, 

Along the big, strange Knowledge Land. 

The days, the weeks, the months, the years. 
Speed on with swiftly flying feet. 

And now our little girl of old 

Stands "where the brook and river meet!' 

Again she wends her way to school. 
The bluest sky still smiles above, 

While stars of Hope so clearly shine, 
And air is filled with songs of Love ! 



74 GARLAND OF SONG 



Dear girl, when those bright days are o'er, 
And Hfe has summoned thee to school, 

I wonder will thou know as now 
The tenderness of Love's fond rule. 

We do not know, we may not pierce 

The coming time with aisles so dim, 
But Love has placed thee in His Heart, 
And trusts thy future years to Him ! 
September, 1904. 



EASTER. 



The wood-flower peeps above the mold 

And whispers to the snow, 
" Tis Easter-tide ! Our risen Lord 

Has bade me wake and grow !" 

The stream throws off its chains of ice 

And sings its song of glee, 
" 'Tis Easter-tide ! Our risen Lord 

Has bade me to be free !" , 

The breezes sing to tender buds 

Within their cradles deep, 
" 'Tis Easter-tide ! Our risen Lord 

Now bids thee wake from sleep !" 

The birds that weave their nests, the blue 
That peeps the clouds between; 



GARLAND OF SONG 75 



The rain that sends refreshing drops 
To newly wakened green ; 

All sing the same glad song of hope, 
All join the prayerful chime — 

"Our Lord has risen ! Praise to Him ! 
It is the Easter time !'' 

While still the ringing chorus pours 
From Nature's throbbing throat, 

From every human heart we pray 
May float the answering note! 

'Tis Easter-tide ! Dear Risen Lord, 
May Virtue's seeds take root 

And may the harvest yield to Thee 
A hundred-fold of fruit ! 



THE HYMN. 



Upon the incense-perfumed air 

The music wavelets float; 
A hymn to Mother Mary pours 

From many a childish throat : 

'On this day, O, beautiful Mother ! 

On this day we give thee our love ! 
Near thee. Madonna, fondly we gather. 

Trusting thy gentle care to prove !" 



76 GARLAND OF SONG 

The tears unbidden rise and fall, 

For Memory's rushing tide 
Has borne me to a chapel sweet, 

From out this temple wide. 

We sang it thus, long years agone. 

Within that chapel dim, 
'Mid flowers and lights and incense, too. 

Arose that self-same hymn. 

It rose from merry hearts that dreamed 
Earth knew not pain nor guile. 

And if a random tear e'er fell 
'Twas hidden in a smile. 

O, merry, trusting, pure young hearts 

Within that chapel dim. 
Did life's loud din have power to still 

The memory of that hymn? 

Or hush the voice of her who stood 
Our guide along the ways ? 
"None knew thee. Sister, but to love, 
None named thee but to praise !" 

The grandest mind, the noblest heart. 

The life all rounded out ! 
E'en from the grave she speaks to-day 

In hours of grief and doubt. 

Back from the Past we come ! Bless God 
And Mother Mary for that Past, 

So sweet, so pure, so full of love! 

Is't dead ? Nay ! not while life doth last ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 77 

And as we sang in days of yore 

Our hearts sing now with deeper love: 

'Near thee, Madonna, fondly we gather, 
Trusting thy gentle care to prove !" 



GOING HOME. 



I've traveled long and far, dear Lord, 

Upon life's varied way. 
I've braved the storm, enjoyed the calm, 

Known night and sunny day! 
But now the windings of the road 

Are lost in straighter lines — 
I'm Going Home ; the rest draws near 

For which my spirit pines ! 

Of all the winding road I take 

A retrospective view ; 
Along it He my tears and toil. 

Success and failure, too! 
I see the bounding, buoyant hopes, 

The joyous, laugh-filled hours — 
But now, dear Lord, I'm Going Home, 

I've culled life's thorns and flowers ! 

I've drunk the promise sweet of dawn, 
I've stood 'neath noon's red sky, 

I've felt the twilight's tender peace, 
And now the night is nigh ! 



78 GARLAND OF SONG 



I do not dread its darkness deep, 

It speaks of rest to me ! 
I'm Going Home, dear Lord, at last, 

Fm Going Home to Thee ! 

I'm going home to Him who waits 

For me beyond the shade, 
So do not weep, though 'neath the grass 

My lowly bed be made! 
I long to sleep, then wake in bliss. 

The thought is joy to me! 
I'm Going Home, dear Lord, at last, 

I'm Going Home to Thee! 



MOTHER MARIANA OF THE SISTERS OF 
CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. 

The curtains of thy noble life 

With reverent hand I draw aside, 
To show the world the virtues rare 

That Vincent's Daughter fain would hide. 

Gifted beyond the lot of most, 

A bright young mind endowed with all 

That wins the plaudits of the world. 

Bows meekly down beneath Christ's thrall. 

She hears the ''call" — more sweet by far 

Than any music earth can play; 
It leads her 'mid Christ's lowly poor. 

Along St. Vincent's fruitful way. 



GARLAND OF SON G 79 



Life's silvery dawn, its golden noon, 
Its chastened, softened sunset hours. 

Are burdened for her dearest Lord 

With choicest buds from Virtue's bowers. 

The tender, helpless, lonely babe. 

That's left to weather life's hard storms, 

Finds shelter safe within her love. 
That waits beside with open arms. 

The fair young soul just reaching out 
To view the vista of its dreams. 

Is led by her up "Science Hills," 

But all the way glow Faith's strong beams. 

When cruel War stalked forth to lay 
His curse upon our treasured land. 

The soldier's pain-racked mind and frame 
Found soothing rest 'neath ''Sister's" hand. 

But O the last, the sweetest years. 
When she, our ''Mother," stood beside ! 

Years rich in grace and peace and love. 
And work for "Jesus Crucified !" 

Tears for our dead, our well-beloved. 

Our noble, kindly, loving one! 
Above her grave we weep, but pray 

As she would wish, "Thy will be done !" 



80 GARLAND OF SONG 



Good-night, dear "Mother !" not "Good-bye !" 
You sailed away with Life's swift tide ! 

But O, dear heart ! you're safely moored 
Near Him you love, Christ Crucified ! 

Good-night ! Good-night ! When morning breaks, 

Be thou the first to greet thy own ! 
To bid us, welcome to the Feast 

We trust awaits us 'round the Throne. 



SUMMER DAYS. 



Blow, Summer breeze ! O how I love 

To feel your soft caress 
That charms away all care and thrills 

The soul with happiness. 
Rustle the leaves, the blossoms bend, 

And make the grasses wave, 
Let Summer load your vv^ings with sweets. 

Ere Autumn digs its grave. 

O Summer days ! so dear to me, 

I'm loath to let you go. 
To see your radiant beauty hide 

Beneath the Winter's snow. 
As all we love grows fairest when 

Death's angel draweth nigh, 
So you are sweetest near the time 

You fade away and die. 



GARLAND OF SONG 81 

Summer days ! I cannot count 
Your precious gifts to me, 

Nor could I measure half the joys 
I've gathered up from thee! 

1 can but store your treasures rich 
Deep down in memory's cell, 

And there, when life brings shadowy hours, 
I'll send my thoughts to dwell. 



THE NEW YEAR. 

The Old Year stands with hands outstretched, 
To take our own in parting clasp. 

And ere we lose his feeble touch. 

We feel the New Year's vigorous grasp. 

The Old Year moves along the road. 
To Memory's halls with pictures filled. 

Where old-time songs and old-time talks 
Will chime and ring till life is stilled. 

Beside us stands the bright New Year, 
Erect and strong in lusty youth, 

But 'round him folds a close-meshed veil, 
That hides from all the Future's truth. 

Yet he that's walked for any length 

Along life's dark or sunny ways, 
Yearns not to lift the veil that hides 

The joy or gloom of coming days. 



38 GARLAND OF SON G 



REV. PATRICK J. MULCONRY, S. J. 

O Death! full well we know to-day, 

The shining mark is dear 
To thee, when through our tears we gaze 

Upon thy victim here! 

On him, the strong, the brave, the true, 

God's priest, His chosen one. 
Laid low while still his eyes were turned 

Towards Hfe's clear, rising sun! 

Laid low, while still his priestly hands 
Were gathering fruits for God ! 

Ah, splendid type of strength! 'tis hard 
To give thee to the sod! 

O well beloved ! Thou ever made 

Thyself be ''all to all," 
Like Paul of old, that souls might turn 

Responsive to thy call! 

That silvery tongue whose eloquence 

Enchanted all who heard, 
Bore, on the music of its notes, 

God's grand enduring Word! 

O St. Ignatius' loyal son! 

For God thy strength was spent! 
Thou hast returned, a hundred-fold, 

The talents that He lent. 



GARLAND OF SONG 39 



In many a soul that thou hast saved, 

Thy name is shrined to-day; 
They'll twine it round with love's fair flowers, 

And bless thee while they pray! 

We'll bear thee on to sweetest rest, 

Ignatius' soldier brave! 
For death, no victory is thine. 

Nor sting in thee, O grave! 



THE DYING SUMMER. 

Summer, Summer, clothed in beauty! 

Loath we are to see you fly! 
Bearing far from sight the radiance 

That you poured o'er earth and sky! 

You so rich in perfumes precious, 
Floating on the Zephyr's wing, 

Sweet in grand entrancing music, 
Making hill and forest ring! 

Breathe around your tones melodious. 
Let your balmy breezes blow. 

Memory will retain the blessings. 
That you scatter as you go ! 

Still again we hope to greet you 
When the wintry days are o'er. 

Smiling with a rarer beauty 
Than you ever knew before! 



84 GARLAND OF SONG 



THE ROSES. 

Beautiful rose, with your crimson heart, 
Bowing to me from your trelhsed wall, 

Dropping your petals down here at my feet. 
Sending out perfume, as past me you fall ! 

Crimson your heart as the blood of my Lord, 
Flowing on Mother Church altars to-day ! 

Filling the world with its odors of grace, 
Washing the sins of the sinful away ! 

Stream never-ending. Fountain of love, 
Cooling the fires of our passion and pain, 

Strength'ning the weak, and refreshing the strong. 
Pouring forth love as the skies pour the rain. 



WELCOME HOME. 

Fve heard the sweetest, softest strains 

That music calls to birth! 
I've gazed upon the fairest scenes 

That lie on God's fair earth! 
And voices "tuned to melody" 

And beauy's face with starlit eyes 
Have met me in my wanderings 

'Neath many foreign skies ! 

But now in two dear words I hear 
The sweetest strains of all. 

As echoes glad of "Welcome Home!" 
Around me softly fall! 



GARLAND OF SONG 85 



O, brighter than the brightest skies 

My native ones now seem, 
And fairer than the fairest lands 

My own loved home I deem ! 

What orbs to me so beautiful 

As eyes of those I prize? 
What voices are so music-filled 

'Neath any foreign skies? 
Sweet ''Welcome Home!" Within your depths 

What bliss there lies for me, 
That with the hearts I love the best, 

Once more my own can be ! 



MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART. 

O month of the roses! O beautiful June! 
When over the earth all of nature's in tune ! 
When leaves in their rustlings talk back to the birds, 
And streams in their ripplings sing "songs without 

words," 
When mountains all bathed in the softest of mists. 
Look down on the valleys the sunbeams have kissed ! 

O beautiful month with the life-giving rays. 
To the dear Sacred Heart do we offer your days; 
To the Heart that was opened so long, long ago. 
That the stream of its mercy forever might flow, 
That the world might be cleansed in the deep crim- 
son tide 
That flows evermore from the wound in the side! 



34 GARLAND OF SONG 



Hail Lily-Cup! o'erbrimming with 

The sweetest of God's love ! 
Hail Rose of Light! Hail Violet pure 

In the chosen bower above. 

Cheer us when clouds hang dark above, 

And guard us safe through sunny ways, 
For dangers hide in flowery glens, 

And Death may lurk in brightest rays; 
Ring on, sweet bells ! for she is blest 

Forevermore to see God's face ! 
Chime on ! chime on ! in dulcet tones, 

''Hail full of grace ! Hail full of grace !" 



THE QUESTION. 

"Would you like to die while the streamlet of youth 

Is gliding along its sunniest way, 
And your boat floats on by the flowery shore 

While the balmiest breezes o'er it play? 
When the bark of Friendship is sailing beside, 

O'erladen with treasures the heart-depths prize, 
When Fame can be won and good can be done. 

Would you wish Death's hand to darken the skies ?" 
We list to the promise the brooklet gives. 

We look aloft on the azure sky. 
We clasp our beloved to our trembling hearts, 

"No ! no ! not in youth is the time to die !" 



GARLAND OF SONG 35 



''Would you like to die/' says a thrilling voice, 

"To sail to my Home while the heart is pure ? 
To go while your loved ones are still your own 

And await them there in your bliss secure? 
Shall I send my sleep e'er you've tasted all 

The embittering draughts of a false world's fame, 
Will you come and learn the grand love of the heart 

That broke for you on the Cross of shame?" 
We look on the world with its loveless lives, 

Its blighted hopes and severed ties ; 
We think on the land where joy e'er lives, 

And the bliss of loving never dies. 
We turn to our Lord with outstretched arms 

*'0 let us not stay till Age draws nigh ! 
Take us home ! Take us home ! e'er the bloom is gone, 

For youth, fresh youth is the time to die !" 



TO MY MOTHER. 



Out from the merry, laughing throng, 

Where pleasure reigns supreme, 
I steal away, my own beloved. 

Of thee and home to dream. 
Here 'neath the beaming, starlit skies. 

Here in the calm of night, 
My soul forgets the scene within, 

To wing to thee its flight. 

I miss thee, mother! By thy side 
Once more I long to be. 

To nestle near the heart that throbs 
With constant love for me. 



88 GARLAND OF SONG 



MEMORY'S ANSWER. 

Dead, do you say? Those days of old, 

With their pleasant paths and their hearts of gold. 

With the tears that dried as soon as they fell. 

With the joys that held us 'neath pleasure's spell. 

With the smiles that came at each merry word. 

With the songs the sweetest ear ever heard. 

Dead ? The hearts and the days, beloved so well ? 

Ah, never, while memory throws its spell 

All over the Past ! Outring the chimes 

From the merry days of the dear "Old Times," 

As true and as clear to the heart to-day. 

As they rang in the lands of the Far Away ! 

When toil grows heavy, and hearts grow sore. 

We hear the bells from the days of yore, 

And they never can die, those days of old. 

With their pleasant paths and their hearts of gold ! 



THE PRECIOUS BLOOD. 

O, ruby-tinted stream that flowed 

For us long years ago, 
Within whose lucid depths there glowed 

The love but God can show. 

Upon the cruel cross 'twas shed 

In love's grand mighty tide ! 
From hands, from feet, from thorn-crowned head 

And from the lance-pierced side ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 89 



We greet thee, precious, precious blood. 
Glowing with love's pure light! 

With tears we view thee, wondrous flood. 
Bedewing Calvary's height. 

Each day upon our altars fair 
With softened lights you glow. 

All through the hearts there purified 
You gently, clearly flow. 

And each day, too, with eager love 
You come to sin-stained hearts, 

To bring them peace from Heaven above 
And hope's sweet joys impart. 

Come, come and with thy fervent heat 

O, melt the ice-bound heart! 
There nourish seeds of virtue blest. 

Bid weeds of vice depart ! 

There keep the lily and the rose, 

The violet so fair, 
Until one bright bouquet it glows 

To bloom near God fore'er! 



TO ELIZA ALLEN STARR. 

And now the vesper bells have rung, 
The shades of night are here, 

While o'er the deep, dark waves of Death 
The boatman's voice rings clear: 



46 GARLAND OF SONG 

The firelight dies. Its fingers touch 

No more the dim-Ht room ! 
The dear dream-faces fade away 

And vanish into gloom ! 
A wave of longing for our dead 

Is sweeping o'er the soul, 
But outstretched hands grasp empty air, 

And shadows 'round us roll! 



OUR DEAREST ONE. 

We travel o'er the busy roads of earth, 

Where hand clasps hand, and speech meets speech ; 

But O, how varied are the lives we meet! 

How different are the hearts, the minds, the souls ! 

Some only touch us as they pass along, 

But never reach beyond the inner doors 

That guard the sacred rooms of hidden self, 

While some sweet, pure and holy lives steal in 

With all the gentle influence of the dew 

Upon the flowers, and soften and revive 

And strengthen struggling selves. 

'Twas thus that thou, 
O well beloved! from couch of pain sent forth 
The might of love and held each one of us 
Beneath its sway! No harsh, unkindly word 
Could live near thee, nor selfish envious thought 
Would dare to clothe itself in garb of speech, 
Or, if it did, those sad, sweet eyes of thine 



GARLAND OF SONG 47 



Would make it shrink, abashed into the darkness ! 
Our cares, our doubts, our griefs, were near thee laid. 
And when thy tender love breathed over them, 
They seemed no more. 

O pain-racked, fragile frame! 
Thou wert the temple of a mighty soul, 
Upon whose altars ever burned the fires 
Of sacrifice, of patience, purity. 

And strength ! Oh, Death ! thou art a powerful king. 
But thou canst not destroy those rays of love, 
For memory like a vestal virgin pure. 
Alive, for aye, will keep them ! O well-beloved ! 
Thou art not dead ! Thy influence e'er will breathe 
O'er words and thoughts and deeds, and we will be 
Because of it the gentler, nobler, purer ! 

O white, strong soul, more fit for cloistered home 
Than busy world, we beg thy prayers may stretch 
Like a bright, golden chain, from thee to earth ! 
O let it twine around our mother's lonely life, 
So she may read upon each shining link, 
"God gave ! God took ! O may His will be done ! 
A little while, and I shall fold her close 
Where mother-love is victor over Death !" 



92 GARLAND OF SONG 



O may God bless the treasured hearts 

That precious home once knew, 
And keep them fresh and pure as then, 

To childhood's teachings true ! 

Dear ''Light of Home!" as darkness creeps, 

We watch thy rays appear. 
And hearts go forth to Him who rests 

Behind thy radiance clear! 
O may our lives for Him e'er glow 

Amid the world's dark night, 
And in His service, die away 

Like thee, dear Chapel Light! 



"GOD IS GOOD.' 



'God is good," the dancing sunbeams 

Paint in tints of gold, 
'God is good," within their petals 

Nature's flowers enfold. 

'God is good," the sparkling raindrops 

Speak in music low, 
'God is good," the limpid brooklets 

Ripple as they flow. 

'God is good," rings thro' the woodland. 

Birds peal forth the song, 
'God is good," the stars are beaming 

'Mid their glorious throng. 



GARLAND OF SONG 93 



'*God is good," the rainbow smileth 

From the glowing sky. 
"God is good," the south winds softly 

Through the forest sigh. 

"God is good!" All nature's ringing 

With the notes of praise ! 
"God is good!" O, man re-echo! 

Grateful peans raise. 

"God is good !" and man He loveth 

With an endless love! 
"God is good !" O, may we sing it 

In His Home above! 



REQUIESCANT! 

O, dear old mother lying there 

In arms of perfect Rest, 
'Tis not for thee that tears fall fast, 

While pity wrings the breast. 
But for the lonely, aching hearts 

That, mourning, weep to-day, 
Because the precious Li^ht of Home 

Passed from their sight away. 

They know it has but glided on 
Along Death's calmest deep. 

To live, within the Heart of Him, 
Who gives His loved ones sleep. 



42 GARLAND OF SONG 

And when upon thy cheek, dear friend, 
Her farewell kiss was pressed, 

God grant thou slept to waken in 
The home of angels blest! 

And so, dear Lizzie, sleeping now, 

With all our hearts we say: 
"A Happy New Year" with thy God ! 

A happy, endless day! 
No night to dim its beauty rare, 

No clouds to veil its skies. 
No pain, no loss, no sighs, no tears — 

Just bliss in Paradise ! 



APPLE BLOSSOMS. 

A golden glory fills the earth 

From June's most perfect day, 
While grandma sits with folded hands 

And dreams the hours away. 
The sunlight's slender arrowy beams 

Steal in through ivied shade 
To fall athwart her wrinkled brow. 

And face of little maid. 

A winsome maid with locks of jet. 
With dancing, laughing eyes 

As darkly blue as mountain streams 
That mirror forth the skies. 



GARLAND OF SON G 43 



Her arms are full of gifts she bore 
From orchards fair and wide, 

And apple blossoms rich with sweets 
She drops on every side. 

The dear old eyes bedimmed by age 

Ope on the scented mass ; 
Rest on the upturned love-lit face 

Of merry little lass; 
Pressing a fond, a yearning kiss 

Upon the youthful brow. 
Her tears flow fast — "O grandma, dear! 

Why are you weeping now?" 

"Ah, darHng mine! Those rosy buds 

Have opened memory's door, 
While forms and faces dearly loved. 

Troop out from days of yore. 
I see again my childhood's home, 

The cot near shaded ways, 
Where filled with all that makes life sweet 

Were passed youth's merry days ! 

"At last there came a day when June's 

Rare odors filled the breeze ; 
I pledged my troth to him I loved 

Beneath the apple trees. 
And when a bride I bade good-bye 

To scenes where youth was spent, 
Across the hills the breezes bore 

The apple blossoms' scent. 



96 GARLAND OF SONG 



A REVERIE. 

To every heart there comes a time 
When God sends bitter, bitter woes, 

And vainly through the vale of life, 
We seek a spot where sunlight glows. 

We sit and moan 'neath shadows dark. 

O'er idols broken at our feet. 
And cry "O, grief and woe intense. 

No deeper pain our hearts can greet !" 

And yet to see a loved one's woe, 

Methinks is grief more deep, 
To gaze all helplessly on pain 

Love cannot lull to sleep. 

And though the heart so prized and tried 
Can hide the cloud 'neath sunny smile. 

To know that o'er the brave, true life. 
The darkened hours still reign the while. 

And yet, ah, me ! we cannot lift 

One shadow from that life. 
The Love that floods our souls must lie 

All powerless in the strife. 

All powerless? Yes, until we kneel 

To Him who hears each sigh. 
And weep before the Sacred Heart 

That bled on Calvary high. 



GARLAND OF SON G 97 

Then passing gently through our souls 

Sweet Hope her web can weave, 
And sing a hymn whose burden is, 

"Ask, and you shall receive." 

And though we know 'tis bitter woe 

To watch a loved one's pain, 
We feel that soon our prayers will wake 

The sunshine after rain. 



SUMMER'S GOING. 

Summer's going! Summer's going! 

Nature sings in saddened tone; 
Soon will sobbing Autumn breezes 

Wail o'er leaves their requiem moan ! 
Soon the flowers will droop and wither, 

Pining for the sun's warm ray. 
And the earth's sweet songsters speed them 

To a softer clime away. 
Then will icy winds of Winter 

Fetter fast the forest stream, 
And the snow in Hly whiteness 

All around us coldly gleam ! 

But then, when Spring's soft raindrops fall, 

The snow will disappear ; 
We'll list again the brooklet's voice 

And birds' sweet music hear. 

7 



98 GARLAND OF SONG 

The sun his brightest rays will beam, 

And wake anew the flowers, 
And earth with siren voice soon hail 

The Summer's gladsome hours! 
* * * 
Souls are losing, souls are losing 

Fairest beauties day by day ; 
Winds of sin come sweeping o'er them 

Bearing Truth's green leaves away; 
Flowers of virtue droop and wither. 

Pine they all for love's warm ray ; 
Dim the lamp of Faith is burning; 

Hope's sweet songsters speed away. 
All that's good, and all that's noble. 

Far off, slowly, surely roll ; 
Dark Despair, with icy fingers, 

Tightly grasps the shrinking soul. 

But then God's grace like Spring's soft rains 

Soon melts the icebound heart, 
And bids sweet Hope chime forth again 

And dread Despair depart! 
The flowers of virtue raise their heads 

To greet the sun of love ; 
The lamp of Faith beams out again, 

Lit by the Hand above. 
The soul pours forth a gladsome strain ; 

'Tis echoed e'en on high. 
Sing, happy soul, sing on for aye, 

Thy Summertime is nigh! 



GARLAND OF SONG 99 



MY ROSARY. 

My chaplet fair of shimmering pearls! 

My rosary, dear to me! 
How many a hope and thought and care 

Fve whispered unto thee! 

How many a time my fingers sHpped 

Along each shining stone, 
While every "Ave" from my lips 

Was sorrow's sobbing moan ! 

But with "Hail Mary" came a calm 

That soothed the bitter pain. 
And tears gave birth to flowers of peace, 

As buds awake in rain! 

How many a time those Aves rose, 

Burdened with joy and praise. 
Rose from a heart as full of bliss 

As sunbeams are of rays! 

And softly fell Hail Marys then 

At our dear Mother's feet. 
And while I knelt — her grateful child — 

The sweetness grew more sweet! 

When doubt's dense darkness gathered 'round 

And hid the light from me. 
How many a time, O rosary loved ! 

I told the tale to thee ! 



100 GARLAND OF SONG 

And then "Hail Mary full of Grace" 

Lit up the darkened sky. 
And Doubt stole off, a vanquished foe, 

While Hope and Peace drew nigh ! 

Thou art a friend that never broke 
The trust reposed in thee! 

Thou art a fount that never failed 
To yield deep draughts to me! 

Thou knowest all my hopes and fears, 

My sorrow, joy and care, 
Yet thou art silent, save to me, 

O Rosary! loved and fair! 



THE BELLS. 



How fair ! how sweet this world of ours, 

Now Summer reigns its queen ! 
What stores of joy for us abide 

In woods, 'neath skies serene! 
O deep the draughts of peace we quaff 

While roaming quiet dells. 
And listening, as the shadows fall, 

To chimes from distant bells ! 

Long, long ago, o'er storm-tossed seas, 
A "Peace, be still !" was heard ; 

The troubled waves grew strangely calm. 
Obedient to His word. 



GARLAND OF SONG 101 



Methinks, if o'er my soul there flowed 

Of saddening thoughts a tide, 
Could I but list the bells at eve 

The tempest would subside. 

Peace ! peace ! they ring from out their heights, 

From out the home of prayer. 
To hearts that bravely strive to breast 

The mighty waves of care ! 
O hark the promise of the bells, 

'Teace ! After troubled days. 
Peace! If you seek it from the God 

We call on you to praise !" 



FANCY'S CHIMINGS. 

Fancy's chimings ! How we love them 

In the morning of life's day. 
When they ring out Hope's rich promise. 

Ring it all along the way! 

Fancy's chimings ! How we listen 
In life's fervid hour of noon. 

Building, while they ring their message, 
Castles, crumbling all too soon! 

Fancy's chimings! How they brighten 
Life's long, lonely, evening hours. 

Bearing us upon their music 
Into restful, dream-filled bowers. 



102 GARLAND OF SONG 



A FANCY. 

Two brooklets, in their silvery course, 

Long days ran side by side, 
And loved the path they rambled through, 

The verdant valley wide. 

They loved each other; every beam 
Sent down to light their foam 

Was shared, and brighter seemed than rays 
That glanced outside their home. 

Or if the shade e'er fell athwart. 

They rippled songs of cheer. 
Until the shadow stole away 

To show the sunlight clear. 

O merrily, merrily passed those days 

When love smiled over all. 
And brooklets sang they'd constant be 

Whatever might befall. 

One day they reached the valley's end ; 

A forest grand they spied, 
And sped to greet its shady depths, 

As ever side by side. 

But when they entered, one, all dazed 
By flowers so strange and fair. 

By trees that seemed to touch the sky 
And songs that filled the air, 



GARLAND OF SONG 



W. 



And, more than all, by placid streams 
That gently flowed beside, 

Sped from the friend of other days, 
Through newer paths to glide. 

The lonely streamlet mourns the vale 
Where love smiled over all, 

And brooklets sang of constancy 
Whatever might befall. 



AUTUMN DAYS. 



You beam around our every path, 

O softened Autumn days ! 
The sweetest smiles of nature's face 

Aglow with golden rays! 
We love you, month of sunset lights. 

The best of all the year, 
And yet the heart is saddest when 

Your whisperings greet the ear ; 
For vanished days with all their joys 

Before the soul arise, 
Till every breeze seems laden with 

A chorus of good-byes! 

Imagination, airy sprite. 

Come, fold your arms around 

And hie with me to pastoral scenes 
Where songs of peace resound! 

The city's roaring, surging waves 
Of noise seem strange to-day ! 



104 GARLAND OF SONG 



They clash and chafe — I fain would rest — 

Come, hasten far away 
To woodland haunts where Autumn winds 

Sing requiems sad but sweet, 
For russet, gold and crimson leaves 

Asleep beneath our feet ! 

How full of rest those grand old woods ! 

But noble, stately trees, 
Why must your leaves of changing light 

Fly with each passing breeze? 
Their work is done ! The Summer long 

They threw their cooling shade ; 
Lovely in life, see e'en in death 

Their beauty does not fade ! 
Will you not miss their clinging arms, 

Their music night and day?" 
'Ah, yes !" the branches sighed, ''but we 

The voice of God obey !" 

O human, restless hearts ! When joy 

Lies dead beneath our feet, 
Why not believe 'Tt brightened life. 

Its work is now complete !" 
And why not let its memory live, 

A thing of beauty bright, 
To crush rebellious thoughts 'gainst Him 

Who bore it from our sight? 

O Fancy ! spirit kind to me ! 
Your wand is laid aside! 



GARLAND OF SONG 105 



Back to the city's busy din 

We fly from woodlands wide ! 

But as the fevered earth revives 
Beneath the welcome rain, 

So you a cooling hand have pressed 
On brow and heart and brain ! 



APRIL. 

Skies of blue and skies of gray, 

Hours of sun and shade. 
Tears that soon are merged in smiles, 

Smiles that quickly fade; 
Such are April's varied days. 

Month of sunny showers. 
Waking emerald grass and leaves, 

Brooks and springtime flowers. 



AT REST. 



Along the old familiar ways. 
While smile the skies o'erhead, 

While trees are robed in Summer's garb 
And blossoms sweetness shed. 

With stricken hearts we slowly pass 
Through paths beloved fore'er, 

To the fair **city of the dead," 
The precious mother bear. 



106 GARLAND OF SONG 

Here, where her youth's fair sunshine streamed, 

Where shadows sometimes fell. 
We lay her 'mid the scenes and friends 

Her loyal heart loved well. 

They press around, the friends beloved, 

And gaze on marble brow, 
On silent lips, on death-touched eyes, 

That cannot greet them now. 

Dear generous heart! so brave, so bright. 

As true as shining steel ! 
O never, never more thou'lt throb 

At aught of woe or weal! 

And though thy children bend o'er thee, 

With hearts that ache and yearn. 
Thy soft, dark eyes no more on earth 

Will love's fond gaze return. 

But list! Through my heartdepths are wafted sweet 
tones. 

And I see, through the shadows, soft light; 
Look, look on the sky in its beauty and peace, 

And turn from the grave's deepened night ! 

O children, so worthy the loved one asleep! 

The tomb is her pathway to life. 
To eternity glorious, teeming with bliss, 

Freed forever from care and from strife. 



GARLAND OF SONG 107 



Through memory's halls you will evermore hear 
The tones that so fondly you love, 

Till at last in a melody sweet they will blend 
With your own, in the mansions above. 

Then gaze on the sky smiling blue overhead. 
And turn from the grave's shadows deep, 

O trust the dear Father who chastens His own 
And who gave the beloved one sleep. 



ON DECK. 



I gaze on the restless, roUing waves, 

As they pass beneath my eye, 
And list while they moan and sob and fret. 

For the shores of rest they sigh! 

But I know that beneath their heaving breasts, 

Below where the eye can reach. 
Is a deep, a wondrous land of calm, 

A peace surpassing speech ! 

I think of some hearts that I have known, 

Noble and strong and brave. 
That have bent so many, many times 

'Neath sorrow's rolling wave; 

That have felt the tempest's fury break 

On every side, but found 
A harbor safe in God's dear heart, 

A rest, a peace profound ! 



108 GARLAND OF SONG 



.And the world saw naught but the storms of pain 

That over the surface broke, 
Knew naught of the deep where the soul found peace, 

As alone with its God it spoke. 



MY GIFT. 



Sweet blossoms robed in beauty's garb, 

You come to me to-day 
To whisper messages of love 

From friends so far away. 

To haunts where balmy breezes blow, 
Where air is filled with song, 

You bear me off on fancy's wings 
From out the city's throng; 

Away where leaves on woodland paths 

Glow golden ere they die, 
As faces that we love appear 

More sweet as death draws nigh ; 

To where in spirit now I list 

To birds whose notes arise 
Clearer, methinks, because full soon 

They'll sing 'neath Summer skies ! 

O pansies ! with your eyes of blue 

And hearts of sunny gold, 
And robes of purple clinging 'round 

In softest velvet folds! 



GARLAND OF SONG 109 



I read upon your blooming cheeks 

The sender's loving thought, 
And for the welcome gift my heart 

With gratitude is fraught. 

You've borne to me the peace that hides 

In rural scenes away, 
And filled my soul with thoughts that made 

Me better for their stay. 

A blessing on the blossoms pure! 

God's gifts of bounteous love ; 
That draw the heartstrings far from earth, 

To bind them fast above! 



THE PROCESSION OF THE BLESSED 
SACRAMENT. 

The waves of sorrow flood the soul ; 

They buffet fierce and fast; 
They toss and sweep, they roar and surge, 

Till Hope seems drowned at last ! 
Not yet, dear soul! Sweet help is nigh 
In Jesus passing, passing by ! 

The clouds of doubt loom up before. 

So dense and darkly drear! 
No faith in God! No trust in man! 

The skies will never clear! 
Look up, dear soul ! Sweet light draws nigh 
In Jesus passing, passing by! 



no GARLAND OF SONG 

The fires of sin, like desert winds, . 

Sear up the flowers of grace ! 
Despair, with parching lips, exclaims : 

"No hope to see His face !" 
Arise, dear soul! Sweet mercy's nigh 
In Jesus passing, passing by! 

O priest, who bears the God of Hosts 

To scatter blessings rare ! 
No powerful potentates of earth 

In rank with thee compare; 
Be pure as snow on mountains high, 
For you hold Jesus, passing by ! 



ALICE. 

Dear girl, with sparkling eyes aglow. 

Where merry laughter's sunbeams played, 
With ruby lips, with cheeks of rose, 

With brow where youth and beauty made 
Their home ! The big, wide world to thee 

So bright and happy ever seemed; 
For naught but love thy portion was. 

And all its sunshine near thee streamed ! 

O radiant girl ! Sweet vine of love 
That grew within thy mother's heart, 

Until its tendrils twined around 
Its every deepest, sacred part ! 



GARLAND OF SONG HI 

That stretched its clinging arms to fold 

Across thy priestly brother's life ! 
'Twas hard to see death tear the roots 

While life with joy and youth were rife ! 

"My Lord has need of flow'rets gay," 

('Twas thus the poet spoke for death) ; 
*'And so I reap the blossoms bright, 

The bearded grain at every breath ! 
"And now," he cries, 'T tore your vine 

To plant it where no touch can kill ; 
The flower that graced it while on earth, 

In God's rich garden bloometh still." 

Sweet Alice, with the deep, dark eyes. 

The face where smiling beauty lay. 
To faith's clear sight thou art not dead, 

Just gone, a little while, away! 
The mother, brother, dearly loved. 

Have bidden thee a fond good-night! 
But O, the eternal God sent bliss 

That waits the dawn of heaven's light! 



THE BOYS' HYMN. 

List the boyish voices ringing 

Gear and silvery through the air, 

While the burden of their singing 
Is the tender, loving prayer: 



112 GARLAND OF SONG 



'Mother Mary, tell our Jesus 

That we love Him fond and true, 

And, O Mary, dearest mother, 
Tell Him we belong to you !" 

Sing they now in life's fair morning, 

In the dawning of the day. 
While the sun of Hope's rich promise 

Throws its radiance o'er their way. 

We, who've known life's heat and burden. 

Who have bowed beneath its care, 
Echo, while we list their singing, 

''Mother Mary, hear their prayer!" 

Save them from the snares that wait them. 
Guide them through each devious way, 

Keep them from the world unsullied. 
Hear them, heed them while they pray ! 



MAY. 

Thy winds caresses are ; skies, smiles ; 

The flowers, thy treasures rare; 
Thy music is the bird's clear note ; 

Thy robe. Spring's vesture fair. 

Thou art a month of promise rich. 
As o'er the hills you stray, 

With sunny face, and whisper low 
From balmy winds, O May! 



GARLAND OF SONG 113 

We love thee well, O days of May! 

Thou'rt Mary's very own ! 
And nearer, dearer does she seem 

While thou art on Spring's throne! 



LIFE'S FLOWERS. 



Along your road, O dear old life. 

The sweetest blossoms grow ! 
I cannot cull one half I see, 

They bloom and cluster so ! 
In such profusion do they lie. 

Their names I cannot call; 
I can but stoop and gather fast 

Their petals as they fall. 

I do not like to hear men say 

Life's way is choked with weeds. 
For well I know 'twas they that sowed 

The deadly noxious seeds. 
Nor do I care to hear them sigh 

Of thorns that cut and tear; 
What if they wound, when all around 

The roses scent the air? 

The flowers of gentle, patient tones, 

Of words of kindly cheer, 
Of joyous laughter, pleasant smiles, 

Of hand-clasps, warm, sincere. 



114 GARLAND OF SONG 

Of thoughtful, bhss-producing deeds, 
Of loving, tender prayer. — 

dear old life, these blossoms sweet 
Fall from you everywhere ! 

1 lift them up with gentle hands. 
The beauteous flowers of earth — 

The hours, the days, the years that make 
A wreath of joy and mirth! 

But O, 'gainst throbbing, thankful heart. 
With reverent touch I lay 

The blossoms rarest, best of all — 
The friendships on Life's way! 



THE DEAD MOTHER. 

Aye ! weep as you gaze on that lifeless form, 

On that peace-filled pallid brow, 
On the hands that are laid o'er the pulseless breast, 

And the lips that are silent now ; 
For the noblest, tenderest heart that beat 

Is numbered among the dead, 
And the sweetest spirit that ever breathed, 

From its dwelling below hath fled. 

Dear, waxen hands ! Our own no more 

In greeting warm you'll hold; 
And smiles of welcome ne'er will wreathe 

The lips now still and cold. 



GARLAND OF SONG 115 



So beautiful in death thou art, 
Like child asleep who dreams 

He visits lands aglow with flowers, 
Green trees, and running streams. 

Dear, gentle one ! In sunnier days, 

How brightly beamed thy smile ; 
And, when the shadows fell, it shone 

With softer light the while. 
The heaviest crosses on thee laid 

Were meekly borne, O patient one ! 
Amid thy sorrows' deepest shades. 

Arose the prayer, "Thy will be done !" 

'Tis ended now, the weary pain ; 

And gazing on thy placid brow. 
We feel, if aught could break that calm. 

Thou wouldst not wish it broken now 
For surely thou'lt awake to life 

In realms of light above. 
To wear the crown thy crosses bought 

From His unfailing love. 

O tender blossoms left on earth 

To breast life's storms alone, 
How bravely bend ye to the task 

Without a sigh or moan ! 
God bless and keep you in His love 

Till Heaven one day can show 
A glorious counterpart of "Home," 

So sadly wrecked below ! 



116 GARLAND OF SONG 



OUR MOTHER. 

Upon the soil of Mother Church, 

What lovely blossoms grow ! 
Each petal decked in fairest hues 

That Nature can bestow ! 
They're sparkling with the dew of faith, 

They're nourished with our prayers, 
And, strange to say, they're brightest when 

We know life's tears and cares ! 

Within the garden plot reserved 

For Mary, spotless queen. 
The sweetest blossoms lift their heads 

From sward of living green. 
She gives with generous, open hand 

To those who for them pray, 
And scatters them most lavishly. 

When shines the sun of May. 

The passion-flower she twines around 

Each wearing, heavy cross ; 
With rose of love she compensates 

For every earthly loss : 
Her snowy lilies nestle near 

The poor, repentant soul ; 
Her blue-eyed violets shyly plead, 

When pride is in control. 

For every ill, for every grief. 
Our Mother holds a balm ; 



GARLAND OF SONG H? 



The flowers from out her garden live 
Amid life's storm and calm. 

O Mother dear, bequeathed to us 
From Calvary's Cross ! we pray 

In life, in death, be thou our own. 
Our lovely Queen of May ! 



GOD KNOWETH ALL. 

Dear soul ! the night of bitter woe 

Is closing 'round thy life! 
Dark, dark the shades that compass thee 

Of sorrow, care and strife. 
But through the dense and lowering clouds 

A star of beauty peers. 
And from the darkened sky, a song 

Of promise greets the ears:— 
"The heavy, gloomy shades may fall, 

God knoweth all ! God knoweth all !" 

The world is beautiful, dear soul, 

Its sunshine all is thine! 
But comes the bitter thought that round 

Thy youth Death's arm must twine. 
That soon the boatman grim will bear 

Thee o'er the silent deep. 
And yet there's One who'll watch with Him 

That peaceful, dreamless sleep; 
The sun may rise, the night may fall ; 

God knoweth all ! God knoweth all ! 



lis GARLAND OF SONG 



O, breathe it thro' the heart of woe, 

This sweet, this blessed truth ! 
To struggHng- souls, to doubting minds. 

Old age and restless youth ! 
His care is hovering o'er His own. 

The God who notes the sparrow's fall ; 
O music filled, joy-bringing thought, 

''He knoweth all! He knoweth all!" 



HOMESICKNESS. 



Your city home is grand, I know. 

In all that wealth can buy. 
Sweet sounds, fair sights on every side. 

Entrance the ear and eye. 
But while you bid me happy be 

Amid the splendors here, 
My truant heart goes wandering back 

To scenes more fondly dear. 

A little vine-embowered cot 

With roses climbing o'er, 
That ope to hummingbirds that flit 

Like sunbeams past the door. 
The lawn where shade and sunshine lie. 

The hills where breezes play. 
The bridge that spans the brook that sings 

Forever on its way. 



GARLAND OF SONG 119 



O treasures strewn with lavish hands, 

I'd gladly you resign, 
If once again that dear old cot, 

That long-lost home were mine ! 
O dulcet tones now breathing 'round, 

Once sweeter strains I knew. 
And robins sang them o'er the lane. 

Where many blossoms grew! 

So, though your mansion gorgeous is, 

In all that wealth can yield. 
My yearning thoughts go straying back 

To cot and lane and field; 
And I would give the world to-day 

But once again to roam 
The hills, the grassy meadows wide. 

Around my childhood's home ! 



GOOD-BYE. 



It speeds away 

Each Summer day. 
Still brimming o'er with light and song ; 

And I would stay 

Its onward way, 
As on Time's wings it flies along. 

O sunny hours 
Of trees and flowers. 
You've spread a feast of peace and rest! 



120 GARLAND OF SONG 



Could your repast, 
But always last, 
I'd ever be your happy guest. 

Where joys abound, 
Where mirth is found, 

In the quaint old house by shaded ways, 
For me 'twas there 
Your treasures rare 

Were richly stored, O Summer days! 

'Twas there the flowers 

Of friendship's bowers 
With lavish hands were strewn for me ; 

Where the warm seeds 

Of kindest deeds 
And words, became Love's faithful tree. 

O evening- hours 

Where silvery showers 
Streamed out from Luna's disc of light! 

With jest and song. 

You sped along, 
And left but mem'ry in your flight ! 

With Byron's hills. 

And rippling rills, 
And valleys clothed in verdure bright, 

O Summer days 

In mem'ry's rays, 
You'll ever live in purest light ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 121 



And while I say 

Good-bye to-day 
To sylvan scenes and skies of blue, 

I fondly pray, 

God bless for aye, 
The friends I've found so leal and true ! 



GOOD NIGHT! 



Good night! Dear, loyal, noble friend. 

The sunset hour is near! 
You rest within its golden rays. 

We wait in shadows here ! 
We watch your ship go sailing past 

Amid the waves of light, 
And stand on shore with saddened hearts 

To waft you our "Good night !" 

Good night, dear life, as guileless as 

The snowy, brooding dove; 
As trusty as the stars that shine 

In matchless light above ; 
As noble as the knight of old ; 

As simple as a child. 
But wise in lore that makes men saints, 

And keeps them undefiled. 

Good night ! Good night ! dear heart, for us, 

With deepest loving filled! 
No more on earth we'll clasp the hands 

Now crossed, so white and stilled ; 



122 GARLAND OF SONG 



No more on earth those deep brown eyes 

Will turn in love to ours ! 
Good night ! Good night ! but not good-bye ! 

We wait the morning hours! 

Good night ! God grant the boy you loved 

Beyond all power to tell, 
Has whispered on the shores of day 

"My father! All is well!" 
Good night, my dear true friend, you've sailed 

Far with life's ebbing tide ! 
But O the joy of morning's dawn 

In Heaven's harbor wide ! 



LOVE IS BEST. 



A wond'rous power, O shining gold! 

Is lurking in your burnished face, 
To yield to sense all things desired, 

And poverty's dread shadows chase. 
But you can never still the moan 

That's wrung from out a sorrowing breast ; 
When suffering touches sons of Earth, 

Then "Love is best ! Dear Love is best !" 

And when the wayward restless soul 
Would pass along forbidden ways, 

There's naught can win it back to truth 
Like Love's sweet voice or Love's sad gaze. 



GARLAND OF SONG 123 



Deprived of Love we still could live ; 

But life, how strange a thing 'twould be ! 
All drear and cold without its smile, 

While zvith it darkest shadows flee 

And, when Death's Angel hovers nigh, 

'Tis not to wealth or power we'll turn ; 
The trembling soul will eager crave 

That light of Love beside it burn. 
The Love of Earth ! The Love of Heaven ! 

Ah ! he who feels its might is blest — 
For, since it broke a heart divine, 

"Dear Love is best! Dear Love is best!' 



THE OLD BELL. 



Ringing out upon the stillness 

Peals the old familiar bell, 
That so often asked an entrance 

Into scenes I loved full well. 
Memory now with touch so skillful. 

Plays her sweet and tender note, 
Happy schooldays, bright and blissful 

On her music wavelets float! 

And once more I list to teachings 
From a mind with wisdom fraught ; 

Once again Religion's lessons 
By the same dear lips I'm taught. 



124 GARLAND OF SONG 



Merry jest and joyous laughter 

Ring anew in music clear ; 
Spirits light e'er dwelt within thee, 

Schoolroom precious, bright and dear! 

But the earth with bitter sorrow 

Filled the hearts that lightest throbbed ; 
Sunny hopes and aspirations 

Crushed were soon, of brightness robbed. 
Still, the lessons learned while with thee, 

Teach us where to look for aid, 
Faith there nurtured, ever strengthens, 

Love and Hope will never fade. 

E'en though earth bestow her brightest, 

I will ne'er as happy be, 
As in days when those I treasured 

Dwelt with me, dear school, in thee ; 
Other steps are echoing through thee. 

Thou art now the stranger's home. 
But, dear school, love will not yield thee, 

Thou'rt my own, where'er I roam ! 

O, my happy, happy school days ! 

Gone from me forevermore! 
Joys the fairest, hopes the brightest. 

Fled with thee, a glittering store ! 
Other scenes may yet surround me, 

Other friendships yet be mine, 
But, fond memory, like the ivy, 

'Round my school days e'er shall twine. 



GARLAND OF SONG 125 



Time, my love can never weaken, 
They will ne'er less bright appear, 

Only death the bond can sever. 

School friends, schoolroom, all so dear ! 



SISTER 'S GOLDEN JUBILEE. 

So many years, my Jesus sweet! 

Since first I heard Thy call ! 
Through life's fair morn, and noon and eve. 

Thou wert my own, my all ! 

O precious day, my own Beloved ! 

That called me close to Thee! 
And blessings on Thee, Bridegroom loved. 

That chose unworthy me! 

Time's chaplet knew the silver stones, 

And now in gold it gleams ! 
While "Fifty years Saint Vincent's child," 

All through its radiance beams ! 

O dear Saint Vincent, father blest ! 

Hear thou my prayer to-day! 
Help me in truth as well as name 

To be thy "child," for aye. 

And while I walk life's sloping hill, 

While twilight shadows fall. 
Take thou my hand, O help me keep 

The graces of the "Call 1" 



126 GARLAND OF SONG 



TO THE VERY REV. P. J. CONWAY. 

I knew a g-arden fair and wide, 

Where blossomed many flowers ; 
And tender was the gardener's care 

Of all its leafy bowers. 
His hand destroyed the noxious weeds 

That peeped above the sod, 
And cherished every beauteous bud. 

Fresh from the love of God. 

Within his heart, to each bright flower, 

Of love he gave a share ; 
But there were some fair blooming ones 

That felt his tenderest care: 
The Lily with its snowy cup — 

The Rose of regal grace — 
The Violet that hid away 

Its sweet and winsome face. 

Brighter and brighter, day by day, 

His floral treasures grew — 
More fair, more pleasing to his eye 

In number, strength and hue. 
But soon a message sped to him 

That called him from his own. 
And other hands now tend the plants 

Whose seeds by him were sown. 

Will those bright flowers, so well beloved- 

The souls to him so dear — 
Wither beneath the stranger's care, 

And lose their radiance clear? 



GARLAND O F SONG 127 



Ah, no ! Our guide and friend revered, 
Still strong- and fair we'll bloom, 

Whether 'tis sunshine from on high, 
Or leaden skies of gloom ! 

Farewell ! We'll miss thy beaming smile- 

Thy greeting warm and true — 
The ready sympathy we met 

When clouds o'ercast the blue. 
But still we would not stay thy course ; 

God keep thee in His love ! 
Farewell ! We'll bless thy honored name. 

Until we meet above ! 



RETROSPECTION. 



'Tis twilight's dreamy hour ! I sit 
Within the firelight's glow, 

And conjure up with mystic spell 
The scenes of ''Long Ago!" 

I see again the schoolroom loved. 

The girlish faces bright! 
I hear once more the merry laugh, 

And tones from hearts as light 

As thistledown. And now their eyes 
Are fixed with earnest gaze 

Upon one face, the most revered 
Of girlhood's happy days. 



*v 



128 GARLAND OF SONG 

She leads us slowly, surely up 

The hill of knowledge high, 
And stones seem smooth and heights seem low 

With her dear presence nigh. 

Our faith grows strong and broad and deep, 

While noblest thoughts arise, 
As Sister points the narrow way 

That leads beyond the skies. 

And now the loving eyes are turned, 

While fervent prayers ascend, 
Where tapers burn before the shrine 

Of Mary, Mother, Friend! 

The firelight dies, the shadows fall ; 

The schoolroom fades away; 
O faces loved! or grave, or gay, 

Where are ye all to-day ? 

Some, God's own spouses, labor on 

Within His vineyard blest, 
And some, beneath the verdant sod, 

In dreamless slumber rest ! 

The years for some most bitter draughts. 

For others, sweetness pour. 
But weal or woe has never dimmed 

The memories fond of yore ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 129 



O schoolday joys, the purest, best, 

That life can ever know ! 
O girlhood friends ! O teachers loved ! 

O happy **Long Ago!" 

We bless our God you once were ours, 

And O we fondly pray, 
That our dear Sisters and their girls 

May meet in Heaven some day ! 



SUNSET HOUR. 



Fair Day has climbed the hills of Eve, 

And lingers on its height, 
To flood the earth from beauty's fount. 

Ere comes the sombre night! 
She gazes on the waves of light 

That ripple from the sky. 
Then goes with slow, reluctant step, 

As if so loath to die! 

When life's brief day has reached the mount 

Beyond which lies death's gloom. 
As earth recedes, will all its joys 

A fairer garb assume? 
Will the sweet love that filled our souls 

With bliss of Paradise, 
Seem richer, rarer, nobler far, 

When sunset tints the skies ? 



130 GARL AND O F SONG 



Oh ! if our own are still on earth, 

When life's night hours draw nigh. 
Be sure we'll turn to gaze on each 

With eager, longing eye, 
Unless Faith whisper : Though the night 

Is creeping on apace, 
An endless dawn will see thee clasp 

Thy loved in fond embrace ! 



WHICH? 



'T think," said a man whose snowy hair. 

Whose wrinkled brow and faded eye 
Betrayed a near approach to death, 

'That the bUss of heaven in peace must He ! 
That we long to reach its shores because 

We'll never again know care or toil, 
But rest in His arms through endless days. 

Away from all sounds of earth's turmoil." 

'T think," said a youth with flashing orbs, 

And a form erect in strong young pride, 
'That we yearn to go to our God because 
In His Heart we shall all be satisfied! 
No more will we know the longing for love 

For a joy, for a fame we ne'er can reach, 

Like the waves that are striving far out at sea, 

But can never caress the shining beach !" 



GARLAND OF SONG 131 



'I think," said a winsome, blue-eyed girl, 

"We wish to fly beyond the skies, 
That we may drain to its deepest depths 

The cup of loving in Paradise ! 
He will press us close to His tender Heart 

The souls that are joined with Him above, 
And I know that heaven is heaven because 

Tis filled with the sweets of a boundless love !" 



GOLDEN WEDDING. 

June, the month of roses ! 

June, the Summer's queen ! 
June, the fairest jewel 

In year's chaplet seen ! 

June, so lovely, winsome. 
Even the Heart Divine 

Lets His creatures offer 
It before His shrine ! 

'Fifty years together!" 
So June sings to-day! 

Surely God's sweet blessing 
Rested on your way! 

With your children's children 
Gathered 'round your side. 

And with hearts as loyal, 
As when groom and bride ! 



132 GARLAND OF SONG 



Let me send my greetings 
In this month of flowers ; 

May God's choicest blessings 
Fill the coming hours ! 

May the "golden" jewel 
With its glimmering light 

Yield in distant future 

Place to ''diamond" bright. 



THE LEAF. 



A leaf that had clung to a poplar tree 

All through the Summer fair, 
Fluttered to earth one Autumn day, 
And as it slowly withered away. 
This was its wistful prayer : 

''Dear tree, would I could cling to thee 
Once more before I die ! 
I'd tell thee of the love that filled 
My heart, and through my being thrilled 
In happy days gone by. 

"While thy protecting arms were near, 
My voice was ever dumb; 
Now 'tis too late for thee to hear 
The songs of love so sweet and clear — 
In death the power is numb." 



GARLAND OF SONG 133 



Ah ! many a life at its fading away, 

As the dying leaf will feel, 
As the pang of a love but half confessed, 
Of a feeling of gratitude half expressed. 

All through the soul will steal. 

And the thought of the tender words ne'er said, 

Caresses e'er denied, 
That our well beloved so longed to know. 
Will surge through the soul in streams of woe, 

A fierce, o'ermastering tide! 



TO SISTER MARY : DAUGHTER OF CHARITY 
OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. 

Sleep ! Sleep ! my beloved ! For thou'rt wearied at last 
By the Cross thou hast borne through the years of the 

past! 
Rest, rest, my own Spouse ! In the arms of my Love, 
And awake but to glory and beauty above! 

The summons has come from the mansion of light, 
The voice of the Bridegroom is heard in the night, 
The music of Heaven is borne deep within, 
And stills earthly discords, its pain and its din. 

Thou'rt gone, and the world seems to grow strangely 

drear 
To the hearts that have loved thee for many a year ! 
Thou'rt gone and the grief of thy children is deep, 
As they gaze on thee now, in thy last peaceful sleep. 



134 GARLAND OF SONG 



Wise head, that directed and governed in Love! 
Kind heart, whose sweet Charity blossomed above ! 
Pure soul, of whose beauty but Jesus can tell! 
O, how can we whisper to these, our farewell! 

Farewell to the life that was one strain of song. 
Whose notes fell like silver, so pure and so strong ! 
For the Angels have listened, have pleaded, and lo ! 
'Tis heard past the skies, and 'tis ended below ! 

Ended ? Ah, no ! it is breathing around 
And hushing the wail of the "Requiem" sound ! 
'Tis soaring aloft in the ''Gloria's" notes, 
While Sister's loved spirit o'er all of us floats. 

O, beautiful life and beautiful rest. 
Near the altar of Him thy true heart loved the best ! 
For Him didst thou live, didst thou suffer and die, 
Thou gavest Him all and now Heaven is nigh. 

Dear friend of our childhood ! thy memory will rest 
For aye with the ones thy pure lifetime has blest! 
Plead for the Sisters and child of thy love. 
Plead for us all with the Savior above ! 

Ah, well, dear companions! The battle's not long. 
Let grief be subdued by the Faith that is strong ; 
And patience, my Sisters ! she'll meet you one day 
Where Love knows no sunset or dimming of ray! 



GARLAND OF SONG 135 



GOD'S WISDOM. 

If the Father had set the fair crown of each Hfe 
With naught but Joy's diamonds and gold, 

How much that is noble, and tender, and sweet, 
Would we miss in a world strangely cold ! 

If we never had wept in our passionate grief 
O'er the form of the loved, gone from earth. 

Could we light the fair lamp that would shed its 
bright ray 
Thro' the soul where the shadows had birth. 

If we never had shrunk, in our quivering pain. 

When cut by a look or a word. 
When passion was roused, 'mid its tumult and din. 

Could sweet, patient meekness be heard? 

If "good-byes" never brought us their dumb, bitter 
pain. 

If our hearts' idols always were near, 
Our God we'd forget, and the soul's destined Home, 

While forever we'd wish to be here. 

If we never had struggled and lost in the fight. 

If our natures were easily tamed. 
Would we stretch helping hands to the brother that 
erred, 

Would we pity when others but blamed? 

Ah, no ! if the sword never entered our hearts. 
If the tears ne'er bedewed our own eyes. 

But little we'd care for another's dark life, 
While sunshine lit up our own skies. 



136 GARLAND OF SONG 



And so the wise Father besprinkles each crown, 

With pearls, whether many or few, 
They're the teardrops that fall and awake into life, 

The gems that are fairest to view. 

Then bless Him, and praise Him, the all knowing 
God, 

That sends us the crosses we need, 
For He sees, with the eyes of His merciful Love. 

Our hearts will be His if thev bleed! 



LINES. 

O happy soul ! O happy soul ! 

How blest, how blest thou art, 
Through all the din, to hear the call 

That binds thee to His Heart! 
To know, those lovely wounded Hands, 

Since life awoke for thee. 
Outstretched have been, to lead thee on, 

*'His own beloved" to be! 

O, sweet the love that earth can yield, 

But then it knows decay; 
And sweet the joys that live in life. 

Yet they, too, fade away. 
But thou hast found, in His dear Heart, 

Unfailing joy and love. 
O, happiness begun on earth 

To live for aye above ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 137 



Ah ! down in that deep wound of Love, 

You've placed your vows sincere, 
To hold the poor and lowly hearts 

As he e'er held them — dear. 
As "He was subject" thou wilt be, 

His voice thou'lt ever hear, 
And in thy soul sweet chastity 

Will steadfast beam, and clear. 

O, happy one! O, happy one! 

Our Jesus' spouse to be! 
The angels bend in wondering love 

To feast their eyes on thee. 
O, keep undimmed the Bridegroom's crown 

That's beaming on your brow. 
Until you gaze upon that Heart 

That won your virgin vow. 



THE BRIDEGROOM'S CALL. 

"Arise, my Beloved !" 'Tis the Bridegroom that calls, 
He longs for His Spouse, in His heavenly halls! 
A smile lights her face as the sun lights the west ! 
The Rose of Columba's is gone to her rest! 

The Cross was borne bravely, the Crown is now won. 
She hears from her Master His loving "Well done." 
Thrice nobly she toiled in His field till the last, 
And Death had no terrors when life's day was past. 



138 GARLAND OF SONG 



None know but to love her, and many a tear 
Falls hot on the casket of her they hold dear. 
Aye! even the stranger will feel the drop start 
As he lists to the tale of her warm, noble heart. 

O, soul that was noble and earnest and kind! 

O, life where the rarest of virtues we find! 

O, mind ever pure as the white lily-flower! 

How sadly they'll miss you, each day and each hour ! 

Thy children, whose tears fall so fast on thy grave. 
Will miss the loved teacher, that to them oft gave 
The lessons of wisdom, of virtue and love, 
That fitted for earth and for Heaven above. 

Thy Sisters ! Ah ! well may they weep for thee now, 
As they press the last kiss on thy cold, pallid brow. 
For never again will Columba's own bower 
Be graced by a Rose like its transplanted flower. 

But not for her. Sisters, should "Requiems" moan — 
Let rather 'Te Deum" burst forth its grand tone. 
Her spirit, too noble, through earth's walks to roam, 
Now basks in the sunshine of God's blessed Home ! 

O, Daughter of Vincent! thrice happy and blest. 
At the feet of thy Father to peacefully rest 
And wait, while thy hymn with the seraphs ascends, 
Till the message speeds forth to thy loving earth- 
friends. 



GARLAND OF SONG 139 



Till, while in each bosom love's light purely glows, 
In Heaven they'll greet thee, their own Sister Rose ! 
Ah! then with such joy will the meeting be fraught 
They'll forget the deep pain that the parting hours 
brought ! 



OCTOBER. 



''O what is so rare as a day in June !" 

Excepting a day in October ! 
When breezes are singing a requiem strain 
As brimming with sweetness as 'tis with pain, 

A sigh for the days that are over! 

Oh, these are the hours I long to roam 
The woods and the vales of Byron ! 
To list while the music from feathered throats 
Is gushing and pouring in silvery notes 
More sweet than the songs of a siren. 

To tread on a carpet deep with leaves 

All tinted with Autumn glory, 
And read in each leaf of changing light. 
So russet and red, so golden and bright, 

Of life and of death the story ! 

The tree is the life, and the leaves the joys 

That cluster and blossom beside it; 
But they slip from our grasp as the days go by 
And the scar that remains as away they fly, 
Ah ! we do our best to hide it. 



140 GARLAND OF SONG 



But when o'er the scars a new joy grows, 

The world to our eyes seems fairer ; 
And thus do we Hve, while each brief day 
That flies to our lives on its onward way, 
Is a joy or a sorrow bearer. 

Till at length life's tree sees its strength depart. 

Sees the last of its joys or sorrow; 
And is glad to gaze upon Death's stern face, 
To feel, while it yields to its close embrace, 
'Twill never know earth's to-morrow ! 



ONE DAY. 



O'er a golden field near a silvery lake, 

With the emerald isles between; 
O'er the yellow grain and the buckwheat white. 

And the meadows deeply green ; 

O'er the woods where the leaves of the oak and the 
elm 

Bend low as the winds go by. 
Where the wild flowers peep from the velvet sward 

And the streamlet ripples by; 

Where the notes of the birds and the songs of the 
brook 

And the hum of the busy bee, 
With the softened sounds from the fields afar, 

Are all that are borne to me. 



GARLAND OF SONG 141 



I gaze, while a cloudless sky smiles o'er 

The beautiful, peaceful scene, 
And never, I know, were treasures as rich 

Spread out before king or queen. 

The world may come with its dreams of fame, 

Of wealth and of deepest bliss, 
But never a joy in its storehouse vast, 

Compares with a day like this ! 

O, the sweetest songs that were ever sung, 

Ring over the farm to-day ! 
And the sweetest tales that were ever told. 

Are heard while the breezes play! 

And this grand old earth seems the fairest spot 

That mortal heart may know. 
While the soul overflows with a grateful love 

To the God that made it so. 



NO SPOT IN THEE. 

Spotless spouse of holy Joseph, 

Lily of the scented May, 
From our hearts we fondly greet thee. 

Macula non est in te! 

Sorrow's thorns so often wound us. 
Thou can'st take the sting away. 

Mother Mary, ever tender ! 
Macula non est in te! 



142 GARLAND OF SON G 



Clouds of doubt oft times surround us, 
Truth's clear sunbeams near thee play, 

Thou hast never, never failed us, 
Macula non est in te! 

Weak and sinning, but presuming 
On thy love, to thee we pray, — 

Wash us in the fount of mercy, 
Macula non est in te ! 

When Death's angel drops the curtain 

On life's ever-varied play. 
Mother, to our souls O whisper, — 

Macula non est in te! 



MISSED. 



"He was old," you say. I know it, 
Beyond ''threescore and ten," 

Beyond the span allotted 
By psalmist unto men. 

"His life work done;" well, maybe, 

If labor's all of life. 
Though ofttimes sweeter blessings 

Are born in rest than strife. 

'Twas thus with him, sojourning 

Within the vale of age. 
With undimmed vision scanning 

Life's closely written page. 



GARLAND OF SONG 143 



His was no wondrous learning, 
Yet though not seer nor sage, 

He taught the fullest lessons 
From off that finished page. 

For writ thereon so clearly 
Were trust in human kind; 

Fidelity to friendships 
Around his heartstrings twined. 

A charity for sinners ; 

In God a faith sublime ; 
A nature all unsullied. 

Untouched by frosts of time. 

And this is why we miss him 
Asleep beneath the sod, 

White-haired but sunny-hearted, 
"The noblest work of God." 



THE HUMBLE POET. 

The rare exotic's beauty rich 

Can dazzle every eye — 
But sweet and tender are the thoughts 

That come with violets shy. 

The ocean in its vast expanse 

Sends through the soul a thrill — 

But streamlets o'er the woodland ways 
Our hearts with music fill. 



144 GARLAND OF SONG 



The storm-clouds sailing, rolling on, 
Are grand in power and might — 

But O, we love the feathery clouds 
That float through skies of light ! 

Our minds are raised to heights sublime, 

Near peaks all robed in snow — 
But rest and peace are in the vale 

That nestles far below! 

To music of the masters old. 
Minds send responsive chords ; 

But hearts are touched when from the trees 
Ring out the songs of birds. 

The humble poet's flowers of song 

Are blooming everywhere ; 
Mayhap they'll soothe, as once they did, 

Some restless "pulse of care." 

Then though you never reach the "heights," 

Sing on the lowly way! 
Some hearts may cull your blossoms pure. 

And twine a sweet bouquet. 



SUNSET. 



A golden lake where dark ships lie 

At rest ! An amethyst shore 
With castles grand, whose sapphire towers 

Far in the distance soar ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 145 



A glowing, glorious ball of fire 

That slowly sinks from sight, 
While earth and air, and sea and sky 

Lie chained in beauty's might! 

The robin in the elm sends forth 

A tiny stream of song: 
"Praise God ! Praise God !" the wavelets say, 

As still they float along. 

The cheery whistle o'er the farm, 
From those whose toil is done, 

Seems trilling forth a strain of praise 
To Him who rules the sun. 

Down, down it sinks ! The castles fall, 

The shores recede from sight! 
The moon appears, with starry train. 

Majestic queen of night! 



WHY. 

Why do I love to ramble alone 

Through the mossy wood and the shady lane? 
Because the songs that are sung therein. 

Awake in my heart an answering strain. 
Let me whisper the notes I hear, 

All but the ones too sweet to tell. 
Wondering if they'll impart to you 

The peace they have taught to me so well! 

10 



146 GARLAND OF SONG 

The little flower near the hanging rock 

Perfumes the air by the wayside walk ; 
But few can see the pretty head 

That droops so low on the tender stalk, 
Hidden from all in sweet content, 

Caring naught for admiring gaze, 
Only grateful that life is spent 

In scattering sweets o'er the shady ways ! 

Away in the branches the birdies build 

Their cunningly woven nest, 
But the storms arise and their home is torn 

From the oak tree's sheltering breast! 
And now with a patient, cheerful chirp 

The birds their work renew. 
And stronger weave and firmer bind 

The nest the winds o'erthrew ! 

The bee comes buzzing to the rose 

To steal its honey sweet. 
Unmindful other bees have borne 

The spoils he hoped to greet ; 
Undaunted, towards the thistle-cup 

He flies, rich stores to see. 
The rough outside a treasure veils 

And this he knows, wise bee ! 

The sunset dips its brush and paints 
The trees, the flowers, the sky. 

And writes, 'Tf earth so lovely seem, 
What beauties past it lie! 



GARLAND OF SONG 147 



And if my hour can bathe the soul 

In such a stream of peace, 
Think what must be the bliss beyond, 

Where rest and joy ne'er cease!" 

Now, do you know why I ramble alone 

Through the mossy wood and the shady lane ? 
The songs that are sung do you understand, 

Do they wake in you the same answering strain ? 
O listen with me to Nature's songs 

And learn the lessons sweet they tell, 
May they bring to you as they've brought to me. 

The peace and the joy they teach so well ! 



JUNE. 

June, the queen of Summer's land, 
P'lowery scepter in thy hand. 
Crown of beauty on thy brow, 
Fairest of them all art thou ! 

All thy blossoms seem to bloom, 
Sending out their rich perfume. 
All thy radiance seems to shine 
For the Sacred Heart divine! 

Jesus, with Thy arms outspread. 
Sacred Heart, Thy last drop shed. 
Grant like June our lives may be 
Consecrated all to Thee ! 



148 GARLAND OF SONG 



ASLEEP. 

*'One by one the dear old faces 

Vanish o'er the sunset hill!" 
Work is done, the harvest gathered, 

And the toil-worn hands are still! 
Life's strong tree lies prone and leafless, 

But its fruits are stored above. 
And the soul that made its beauty 

Rests within a Heart of love ! 

Nature's nobleman, we greet thee; 

Ended now is life's long fight; 
Gentle, honest, kindly-hearted, 

Thou didst ever seek the right ! 
Sturdy type of old-school virtue, 

Scorning what was mean or base. 
Holding high the stainless record 

Of an ancient, honored race. 

While life's evening bells were tolling. 

And the shadows slowly fell, 
''Ave's" music floated 'round thee 

From the rosary loved so well. 
God's anointed whispered blessings. 

Cherished children knelt beside. 
Peace and prayer and love were with thee 

At the ebbing of the tide. 

"One by one, the dear old faces 

Vanish o'er the sunset hill/' 
But the memory of their virtues 

Is abiding with us still! 



GARLAND OF SONG 149 



No "good-byes" may Faith's lips utter, 
"Rest in peace," we fondly pray ; 

For the night that follows sunset 
Breaks at last in perfect day ! 



TO MY DEAR FRIEND MRS. J. H . 

There's a sobbing strain that is borne along 

On the balmy breeze of May ; 
There's a wailing note that is floating 'round 

For the heart that's still to-day, 
For the husband loved, for the father dear. 

For the home that's saddened now, 
For the hopes that died, for the joys that fled, 

When the Death King touched his brow. 

Ah ! the grass will grow, and the skies will smile, 

And the blossoms bud and bloom ! 
But the warm hand clasp and the cheery tone 

Are hid in the silent tomb! 
Then sigh and sob for the aching heart 

That bends o'er his verdant bed. 
For Jesus wept o'er His friend beloved, — 

His Lazarus — lying dead! 

But hark! Is that a requiem hymn? 

That softened tender strain 
That floats and falls as rose leaves drop? 

That soothes the bitter pain? 



ir.o (/.•/ /v" / ./ \ n o !•' so m c 

It stills the storm as Kuii;- ai;"o 
I lo calnuHl the raisin*;- soa ; 

Tis "Nearer, O my (uul! to Thee! 
Nearer to Thee!" 

Nearer to Thy tender 1 Icart. 

There let him rest ! 
Clasp him in Thy loving arms, 

Thou kiiowest best ! 
O'er my lonely darkened way 

Send Hope's lambent light ! 
Help our little ones to walk 

In the path of right! 
Let him with our baby girl 

Wait beside the Throne 
Till the jHwrly gates are c^ped. 

And we meet "our own !" 



THE REASON. 



*'Sing: on, my soul, the glittering g-oal 

By distance brighter seems ! 
Work on ! W't^k on ! "Twill soon be won, 

The castle of thy dreams!" 

He sings away thro' youth's short day. 

Till Age full soon appears, 
His struggles past, he's crowned at last 

Where Fame her castle rears! 



GARLAND OF SONG 151 



Thro' marble halls, by gilded walls, 

He treads with pensive air, 
By light subdued is keenly viewed 

The beauty everywhere. 

Yes, yes ! 'tis bright and full of light, 

Yet much is wanting still. 
Far more than this must come e'er bliss 

His yearning soul can fill. 

He steals away where Nature's lay 

Is heard from morn till night, 
Where brooklets flow, where blossoms grow, 

Where Peace sheds chastened light. 

And borne along upon their song, 

He hears with quick surprise: 
"They build too low who build below 

God's grand enduring skies!" 



UNDYING. 



They say those glad days all have vanished. 

Their chimes full of sweetness and peace. 
Borne far, far away into silence, 

Evermore, evermore, now must cease. 
And 'tis wrong to sit eagerly listening 

To yearn for their blithe, happy sound. 
For they're dead and the bells of stern duty, 

Are ringing its vot'ries around. 



152 GARLAND OF SONG 

We go; but oh ! say not those chimings 

Forever are stilled in this life ! 
Hear you not, hear you not their own echoes 

Ringing clear, mounting high o'er the strife. 
O, chimes ever hallowed and precious, 

Loved music of fair golden days, 
Till death still our senses we'll list you, 

Above all the din hear your lays ! 

Then, think not they're dead or e'en sleeping,- 

They're living and breathing for aye 
In music 'tis true, sadly tender, 

But ah ! would we change for the gay ? 
Ring clear, for life's burdens are heavy, 

Chime on, till its worries are past ! 
And safe in the arms of the Savior 

Come Peace and Contentment at last! 



THE FAVORED ONE. 

On ivied porch, a gladsome sight. 

Mother and children fair, 
Two blithe boys, one gentle girl. 

With sun-kissed golden hair. 

I wonder which of the happy three 
Shares most of Mother's heart. 

You know ? Then tell me e'er the four 
From yonder porch depart. 



GARLAND OF SONG 153 

'I've asked the self-same question, friend 
That you've just put to me, 
And what she answered at the time, 
I will impart to thee." 

''Which of the three I love the best?" 

She said, while to her eyes 
Uprose a sadly wistful look 
I met with some surprise. 

"The favored one you wish to know? 
That would be hard to tell ; 
I love as only mothers can. 
My Percy, Will and Nell. 

"But there's another far away. 
The brightest, merriest one. 
With laughing eyes and nut-brown hair 
Unlike their locks of sun. 

"He was so restless, e'en my love 
His longings could not fill. 
He turned him from his boyhood's home, 
O, heart of mine be still ! 

"He was not gentle like the rest. 
My proud and headstrong boy. 
He gave me pain and cost me tears. 
While they give naught but joy. 



154 GARLAND OF SONG 

"Yet thro' the darkness of the night, 
The brightness of the day, 
I miss the 'flower of all the flock,' 
The boy that roamed away. 

"For, O, I love my wanderer best ! 
God bring him home some day, 
Child of my prayers, child of my tears, 
Child of my heart for aye !" 



DAY IS DONE. 



Rest, gentle mother, sweetly rest, 

Within the Sacred Heart ! 
For in the Master's vineyard wide 

Full well thou didst thy part ! 

From dawn till vespers' twilight hour. 
Aye, till the night drooped down. 

Thou toiled and prayed and nobly strove. 
Now comes the victor's crown ! 

A gentle, tender, patient heart, 

A faith as mountains high, 
An unassuming, pure, sweet life. 

Now ''Home" beyond the sky! 

Those precious to thy mother heart 
Are now God's spouses dear, 

O, may each be within thy crown 
A gem of radiance clear ! 



GARLAND O F SONG 155 

Rest, gentle mother, day is done ! 

The ripened grain is bound ! 
The Angels' strains of "Harvest Home !" 

Through God's dear land resound ! 



TO GRACE. 



Our Grace is dead! Life's lovely flower has closed 
Its petals fair ! The sweet-toned voice is still ! 
The eyes that mirrored forth a soul all white, 
Are closed ! The gentle heart that ever throbbed 
With pity for the poor and lowly ones 
Is quiet now ! Not e'en the father's deep 
O'ermastering love could match thee, Death, when 

thou 
Didst wrest from him the strongest tie that bound 
Him unto earth! Grace! Well they named thee so! 
Thou surely wert God's own sweet Grace, 
A blessing fair to home and friends! a flower 
That shed the odors rare of kindhness, 
Of gentle deeds and words, that made life's vale 
A lovely spot ! So patient, noble, true, 
'Tis bitter hard to give thee up, but yet, 
'Tis God who claims thee! In his home, dear Grace, 
Thou'lt know the joy eternal, and, some day. 
Around thy father loved wilt twine thy arms, 
And there, no Angel Death can enter in 
To break the ties that bind him to his own ! 



156 GARLAND OF SONG 



FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART. 

We g^reet thee with rapture, we hail thee with joy, 

O, happy, O, thrice blessed day! 
The feast of our Jesus, the feast of our God, 

Of love that will ne'er pass away! 

O, Heart ever human, yet ever divine. 

The center of glory and might! 
Heart pierced with the lance of an undying love, 

And broken on Calvary's height! 

O, Heart that can brighten with fairest of flowers 

The dreariest, gloomiest ways ! 
And make e'en the sun of prosperity's hours 

Cast clearer, more beautiful rays! 

O, Heart ever guiding the just in the way 

That leads them to Heaven above, 
Ever seeking the poor, straying sheep of thy flock 

With tender and sorrowful love! 

O, Heart of our Jesus, our Lord and our God ! 

What gifts shall we offer to-day? 
Thy hearts, my own children ! Yield them unto me. 

And nevermore take them away! 

Yes ! Yes ! sweetest Jesus, we willingly hide 
Them deep in the depths of Thy Heart! 

May they Love Thee for aye and all others in Thee, 
Till life and things earthly depart! 



GARLAND OF SONG 157 



And then may we soar far away to Thy arms, 
In Thy beauty forever have part, 

Be sharers for aye in Thy glorious Home, — 
O, grant it, dear beautiful Heart! 



ABSENT. 



Gently creeping, softly stealing, 

Shades of night come clustering round. 

Opening founts of thought and feeling, 
Stilling labor's busy sound. 

Wintry winds without are blowing, 
Stars o'erhead their vigils keep. 

Fires within are warmly glowing. 
Shadows lengthen as they creep. 

Bright the fireside looks and cheery 
As our band now gathers there. 

But our hearts are sad and dreary. 
We behold one 'Vacant chair." 

One we miss from out the circle, 
Miss his ready wit and song, 

Miss the eyes that used to sparkle 
Brightest of the family throng. 

Aye, our ''bonny boy" we miss thee, 
Miss thee, morning, noon and eve. 

Hearts are yearning to caress thee, 
Home is waiting to receive. 



158 GARLAND OF SONG 



May the wintry breezes blowing, 
Waft to thee our love sincere, 

May the stars above the glowing, 
Whisper low our earnest prayer: — 

That the Angel spirits 'round thee 
May protect from harm to-night. 

And if darkened clouds surround thee, 
Help thee see the silvery light! 



TO A DEAR FRIEND. 

Far, far away from the dear old home 

She lies asleep! 
The Cross is dropped, the Crown is won, 

God now will keep 
Forevermore within His Heart 

This faithful soul; 
At rest within His peaceful home 

While ages roll! 

So faithful to the Master's work 

Through toilsome days! 
So patient in His service sweet 

O'er thorny ways! 
So loyal to His will divine 

In suffering's hour! 
Oh, when the Bridegroom came to thee, 

How rich thy dower! 



GARLAND OF SONG 159 



How beautiful the gentle heart, 

The kindly ways ! 
The unassuming life aglow 

With Love's pure rays ! 
The sympathetic soul that strove 

To lighten care ! — 
These were the gifts the Bridegroom found 

And claimed fore'er! 

Goodby, dear friend ! God with thee be 

Until we meet! 
Oh, pray for us now rest is thine 

At Jesus' feet! 
For thee our prayers of love will rise, 

Both morn and night, 
And bind us close to thee, dear heart, 

With chains of light ! 



FEAST OF THE PURIFICATION. 

Where, where art thou speeding, O beautiful one! 

With Jesus so close to thy breast? 
To the Temple? What need canst thou have of man's 
prayers. 

Sweet Virgin, the grace-filled and blessed? 

"I go, that my children submission may learn 
To God and His servants' commands. 

That His love be remembered and self be forgot. 
No matter how loud its demands." 



160 GARLAND OF SONG 



O, Fountain of Purity ! Vessel of Light ! 

In rapture we kneel at Thy Feet, 
As to-day the pure lips of that fair long ago, 

Its lessons of beauty repeat! 

We offer thee hearts far from perfect, alas ! 

But bathed with repentance' warm tears ; 
Wilt thou fold them, fond mother, close, close to 
thine own. 

And hold them thro' all the long years? 

And if we would wander, O, twine 'round our necks 
The dear wounded Arms of thy Son, 

And then over selfishness, weakness and sin 
Will a glorious vict'ry be won! 

And now, dearest Mother, send blessings to-day, 
On our lives and on those we love best, 

O, deck them with Purity's fair matchless grace, 
Till with thee, evermore, they may rest ! 



SUBMISSION. 



"Sweet flowers that decked the smiling vales. 
Were you not sad when Summer fled, 
And Winter's snowy mounds were laid 
Upon your erstwhile grassy bed?" 

"O, yes, we missed the sunny days, 

But then, 'twas God that bade them die, 
And so we calmly fell asleep. 

And never stopped to question 'why.' " 



GARLAND OF SONG 161 



"Dear birds, whose music filled the woods, 

Whose nests were built on leafy trees. 
Are you not sad that branches bare 

Now bend beneath the wintry breeze?" 

"Ah, yes, we miss our verdant home. 

But as to softer climes we fly, 
We know God's wisdom ruleth all. 
And never stop to question 'why.' " 

"Dear stricken soul, do not repine, 
If all your choicest blessings flee. 
And other lives drink draughts of joy 
That ne'er will be vouchsafed to thee. 

O, meekly bend, although above 

The grave where hope's fair blossoms lie, 

For peace abides with him who bears 
And strives to never question 'why.' " 



GOD IS LOVE. 



I love thy flowery, leafy groves, 
O, sunny beaming life! 

Thy buoyant hopes and cheery songs. 
Thy days with blessings rife ! 

Thy sky looks on with face undimmed. 
Fulfilled is every dream. 

One song resounds from morn till night- 
Life, life, how fair you seem! 

Another hymn floats from above — 
God is Love! God is Love! 
11 



162 GARLAND OF SONG 



How sad you've grown ! How still your groves ! 

O, darkened, mournful life ! 
How full of tears your skies appear! 

Your days with sorrow, rife. 
Dear hope! dear hope! around me now 

Your softened rays ne'er beam, 
My heart can sing but one low song — 

Life, life, how dark you seem! 
But still the music from above — 

God is Love ! God is Love ! 

I leave you. Earth! leave all your joys, 

And all your bitter tears, 
To go to Him who sent me both, 

Thro' many, many years! 
I'm glad, and yet I fear the vale 

That leads to Death's abode. 
If those I love could only come 

'Twould seem an easy road. 
I go! I go! But not alone! 

For listen! from above 
Is borne to earth the message sweet — 

Your guide is God and He is Love! 



LINES. 

You chided me for tears that came 

At your light spoken word; — 
A ''woman" should not feci or shozv 
(Which is it?) thoughts that live and glow 

When memories fond are stirred. 



GARLAND OF SONG 163 

'Tis long ago — that Summer day 
When our *'good-byes" were said, 

But bitter tears will come again, 

The pain is sharp and deep as then. 
The wistful love not dead. 

Through all the triumphs of to-day. 

Through all the pleasant hours. 
Our thoughts roam back to dear "old times," 
We hear again youth's merry chimes, 

And pick Love's fairy flowers. 

Old times! Old times! We love you so, 

We miss your tender, blissful strain. 
And not that then no "woes could sting us," 
But "that this life no more can bring us 
One joy so sweet as your worst pain." 

Some time, perhaps, the world will teach 

Me much I need of woman's art, 
In hiding all, as well as some 
Of joys and sorrows deep that come 

To rest within the heart. 

But these the world can never change, — 
The wish that one dear time could last. 
The heart that clings to friends of yore, 
That sees each day its love grow m.ore. 
For all the blessed past. 



164 GARLAND OF SONG 



When fondest memories thrilled the heart, 

O, wonder not that eyes grew dim ! 
Would I could be with thee once more, 
Close to thy side till life was o'er, 
Then only leave thy love for Him. 



THE PROMISE. 



When the Cross, its shadow throwing, 

Looms upon the way, 
And our hearts, so bruised and broken. 
Will not see 'tis love's sweet token 

Dimming thus the day ; 

When our prayers and tears are fruitless 

With the God of all; 
Doubt and anguish are before us. 
While the shadows deepen o'er us, 

For the cross must fall. 

Fall, and bury in its faUing 

Sweetest hopes we knew. 
O'er the grave where joy lies sleeping, 
Pray we now, in bitter weeping 

For one glimpse of blue. 

List, through all the by-gone ages 

Floats the promise true for aye; 
Blessed are the hearts of sorrow. 
They will know the glad to-morrow, 
"I will wipe their tears away !" 



GARLAND OF SONG 165 



Not on earth, O, tender Savior! 

May that promise be fulfilled; 
But when life is from us stealing, 
Then our hearts will know their healing, 

Then the bitter cry be stilled ! 



THE REPLY. 



"A question lies hiding, my darling, 

Deep down in those dark eyes of gray, 
While in the fair glow of youth's sunshine 

Beside me you're sitting to-day." 
"Right keenly you've read me, wise auntie. 

What I fain would learn from you is this : — 
Of the joys and the blessings earth gave you, 
Which yielded the richest of bliss?" 

Over her face a radiance beamed. 

And filled her eyes of blue, 
The eyes that Age but served to make 

More tender in their hue. 
Fondly she kissed the earnest brow. 

And smoothed the golden head, 
Praying the web of life might be. 

Woven of shining thread. 

"My laugh was once as free as thine. 

My heart as blithe and gay ; 
My brow crowned too with golden locks 
Time since transformed to gray. 



166 GARLAND OF SONG 



The world its cup of pleasure served, 

I quaffed it oft and deep, 
And dreams that earth held higher bliss 

Filled not my happy sleep. 

'But soon I met a noble soul, 

Earnest, sincere and strong, 
Slowly it won me to its side. 

From out the giddy throng. 
Then rang aloft in cadence clear, 

Pure friendship's song of joy, 
Ah ! never felt I greater bliss, — 

The bliss that cannot cloy ! 

'It blest my life, that tender love 

Resting in God's own heart. 
To nobler objects led the mind 

Where earth held greatest part. 
I will not say that skies e'er smiled 

Clear and undimmed above, 
For Love has storm clouds, bitter hours. 

More bitter for the love. 

'But the bliss of the tender word or deed 

From a heart so fondly dear 
Will more than balance all that brought 

The heartache and the tear. 
The waters rippling 'round my bark 

Are tinged with sunset light, 
The shades of twilight faster fall, 

They'll soon be merged in night. 



GARLAND OF SONG 167 

'And when my Savior softly calls, 

I'll bless Him for the love 
He sent to guide me on the way 

That led to Home above. 
Then, amid all the glittering band 

I'll seek the friend of yore. 
And soul to soul be bound by links 

Death's hand can break no more." 

Gently the young girl stepped away, 

Leaving old age to muse 
The cherished friend that filled life's sky 

With softest, tenderest hues. 
A hopeful light creeps up her face. 

And nestles in her eyes, 
A dreamy smile plays 'round her lips, — 

Slowly the sunset dies ! 



MAY MEMORIES. 



When May draws nigh, we travel back 
To happy days of "Auld Lang Syne," 

And see again our childhood's skies, 
Where stars of beauty brightly shine. 

The dear old school ! The tiny shrine, 
With Mother Mary's statue white ! 

The sisters, teachers, friends beloved, 
The girlish faces beaming bright. 



168 GARLAND OF SONG 



Do you remember, friends of yore, 

The walks to mass ? The prayer, the hymn, 

That rose in Mary's honor in 

The old, old church, like cloister dim? 

Ah, some, the gayest then, since quaffed 
Of sorrow's cup, both full and deep ; 

And some, the sweetest and the best, 
God's spouses are, or lie asleep ! 

Dear Mother Mary ! Life has shown 
To us both dark and sunny side, 

But in the shadow or the lig'ht, 

Thou'rt still our stay, our friend, our guide ! 

O May-day breeze ! you waft to us 

The memories sweet of "Auld Lang Syne !" 

Each thought a loving prayer for those 
Who knelt with us near Mary's Shrine! 



THE DEATH-ANGEL. 

Laden with liopes and plans and dreams. 

With thought and care and prayer, 
The Day had climbed the hill of Night 

To lay its burdens there! 
Upon the summit, still and far. 

Two angels brooded low ; 
The spirits twain of Peace and Sleep 

That mortals love and know! 



GARLAND OF SONG 169 

They took thee in their arms, dear friend, 

And breathed upon thy soul, 
And lo ! within its deepest depths 

The strains celestial roll! 
The Easter Alleluias ring 

And drown earth's wail of woe, 
Upon the heights is peace profound ! 

The tears, the grief, below ! 

In calmest majesty of death 

She heth smiling now. 
All heedless of the bitter tears 

That rain upon her brow ! 
They mourn the stanch, true mother-love 

That never, never failed ! 
She basks within Eternal Light 

To their weak vision veiled. 

She fell asleep, her life-work done. 

His Cross upon her breast! 
She woke v/ithin the arms of Him 

Whose image close she pressed ; 
Ah, tenderly Christ crucified 

Gazed on that mother then, 
While from the angelic choirs burst forth 

Heaven's glorious ''Amen!" 

lay this simple flower of song 
Upon thy grave, dear heart. 
And may its fragrance soothe the wound 
Inflicted bv Death's dart. 



170 GARLAND OF SONG 



Where thou hast gone there is no grief, 
Then plead that peace may come 

To those who mourn in sorrow now 
Within the darkened home! 



APPLE BLOSSOMS. 

My little blue-eyed pupil, 

With curls of golden brown, 

Came tripping up with sweetest smiles, 
To lay a love gift down : — 

A bunch of apple blossoms, 

That flooded air with scent, 
And bore my spirit far away 

On wings that Fancy lent — 

To wide and shady orchards. 
To brooks as crystal bright. 

To haunts of birds and flowers, 
To home of sunset light. 

And all that day while floated 
That subtle fragrance 'round. 

The purest thoughts within my heart 
Abiding places found. 

There are lives like apple blossoms, 
Strong hearts of untold worth. 

Diffusing sweetest fragrance. 
As they pass along the earth ; 



GARLAND OF SONG 171 

Cheering, sustaining, guiding 

The weaker ones they meet 
Upon the dusty highway 

So full of glare and heat. 

O blessings on those hearts we say ! 

And praise to Him be given 
Who sent such souls to flood our lives, 

With perfume, born in Heaven! 



LIFE'S EVENING. 



You are glowing, purely glowing, 

Visions in life's evening skies. 
Night is nearing, you are cheering. 

While day's sunlight slowly dies. 
Golden hues more mellow growing 

Sparkle on the glistening foam, 
Raydrops streaming from the gleaming. 

Born within the Father's Home. 
Spirit voices soothing lull me, 

Drifting, drifting with the tide. 
Peace breathes o'er me, Rest before me. 

Fear I not Death's ocean wide ! 

They wait beyond the waters deep 

The loved ones gone before. 
O, hearts I've missed, I'll greet you soon 

My own forevermore! 



172 GARLAND OF SONG 



I turn with all pervading joy 

To bid farewell to earth, 
Flow waters flow, glow sunset glow, 

Till Heaven's Peace has birth ! 

Ambition's yearning hopes are fled, 
All, all of earth but Love is dead! 

The light pours out in golden streams, 

And peace, thou'rt mine, beyond my dreams. 

The streets of Pearl in glory shine. 

Rest, rest my soul, God's Home is thine ! 



TO JOHN. 

Eleven times have summer suns 

Shone o'er thy grassy mound, 
And full as oft have wintry snows 

Spread robes of light around. 
We've heard for years the songs of spring 

And marked the leaflet's fall, 
Since through our home, long days ago 

Rang loud the solemn call. 
O, well beloved! when Death claimed thee, 

He took the "household light" 
And left but stars of Memory 

To cheer the heavy night ! 

Thou wert so pure, so good, so true, 

So gentle and so kind, 
And selfishness within thy breast 

No resting place could find. 



GARLAND OF SONG 173 

The mother weeps the tender love 

That brightened every day ; 
The father mourns the many hopes 

That fled with thee away. 
Tho' years have passed, thy name, beloved, 

Is yet a ''household word," 
For mothers' hearts are loyal ones 

Where love is ever heard ! 

The sculptured marble o'er thy grave 

Proclaims thy beauteous life; 
And in our hearts sw^eet memories live, 

Enshined where Love is rife. 
Thrice blest career ! So short and yet 

So full of deeds called just. 
The deeds God loves that "smell so sweet 

And blossom in the dust!" 
O, brother, may thy life be mine ! 

One strong all brightening ray 
Like that which God bore heavenward 

Eleven years to-day! 



THE SACRED HEART. 

"The way is so weary, dear Lord," we cry, 
"The sky is so gloomy, the summit so high ; 
The Cross is so heavy, we droop 'neath the load, 
And we long for the end of the desolate road, 
As we stand in our doubting and weakness alone, 
To send up to Heaven our pitiful moan." 



174 GARLAND OF SONG 



Is it heard? Is it answered? A thorn-crowned brow, 
And eyes Ht by love are besides us now ! 
Two beautiful hands with the wounds filled with light, 
The Feet that bore Love up to Calvary's height, 
The Side where the gateway was ope'd by the steel, 
Dear Jesus ! Dear Jesus ! before thee we kneel. 

Is the sky then so gloomy and heavy the load? 

Do you long for the end of the desolate road ? 

When I bore my Cross were there flowers 'neath my 

feet? 
Did bright sunny skies my tearful gaze meet? 
My child you forget that sorrow-filled way 
Or you would not repine at your brief darkened day. 

Come to my Heart, if the way seem too long. 

And I will bequeath you the Love that makes strong! 

If I send through your life a bright happy strain, 

Come in your joy, as you come in your pain. 

For my love, dearest children, will never depart, 

Confide in it, love it, my own Sacred Heart. 



AFTER FIFTY GOLDEN YEARS. 
(To Mother E.) 

A life we see in its spring-time fair 

When buds are ripening to blossoms bright, 

When skies give promise of sunniest days 
That'll ne'er be merged in darksome night. 



GARLAND OF SONG 175 

Standing by, the busy world 

With its vot'ries at its feet, 
Tells this soul, in siren song, 

All its fame and pleasures fleet. 
And we see, in the distance a spear-pierced Heart, 

Two hands that are wounded and two bleeding Feet, 
While pressed on the kingly, the beautiful Head^ 

The sharp, cruel thorns in a ruby crown meet. 
With eyes brimming over with God-like love, 

He looks in the heart-depths so fresh and fair, 
He whispers of peace, of eternal joys. 

Of bliss that His spouses alone may share. 
A life we see in its spring-time bright 

When buds are ripening to blossoms sweet, 
Yield all for the nuptial garment pure 

That lies, in its whiteness, at Jesus' Feet. 



The budding spring to summer wanes. 

To fervid, blossoming sunny days. 
And sees this life the beacon light 

That guides "His own" through narrow ways. 
Angels note the tender words, 

Falling like refreshing showers, 
Wak'ning in the doubting heart, 

Opening buds and fairest flowers. 
Leading souls inflamed with love. 

Closer, closer to their God, 
Up the mounts of Faith and Prayer, 

Sainted ones before them trod. 



176 GARLAND OF SONG 

The beautiful Bridegroom is standing beside, 
The rays of His Love on His chosen one fall, 

The chalice of graces He pours upon her, 

He crowned with the wonderful grace of the ''call." 



'Tis autumn, and its glowing fruits 

Are gathered still by Jesus' Hands. 
The spouse He won is guiding on 

Predestined souls to "promised lands ;" 
Is bending o'er the poor, the sick, 

Wherever suffering makes its moan, 
And seeing in each sorrowing one. 

The lovely image of her ''Own." 
Happy angels sweetly sing, 

While the unfading wreath they twine, 
"He that leads 'My own' to me, 

Like the stars above shall shine."' 
Softly place they now the gems, 

Soon the crown will be complete 
Soon the life-long work of love 

End in rest at Jesus' Feet. 
O, our Jesus, Bridegroom dear, 

Blessings, blessings on thy Heart 
That reveals to chosen souls 

Beauties of the "better part !" 
Be to her, our Mother loved, 

Evermore her "All in All," 
Till the crowning grace descend 

In thy Heaven — bringing call ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 177 



WHAT THEY TEACH. 

The flowers and buds of Summer bright, 

Light earth with beauty fair, 
And load the breezes, winging past 

With incense rich and rare. 

They speak of songs of happy birds. 

Of woods and azure skies. 
But never breathe of Winter's gloom 

That hid them from our eyes. 

The petals, many-hued, will tell 

No tales of struggles hard 
To burst from out their prison cells, 

And deck the verdant sward. 

The brook goes dancing through the vale, 

And sings a cheery song ; 
It throws its spray to grass and trees 

And buds, its path, along. 

Thus, laughing, glistening in the sun. 

It speeds upon its ways. 
But tells not of the mountain dark 

That chained it many days. 

And songsters, too, in gilded cage. 
Send sweetest strains on high; 

But ne'er we hear the longing tone 
For woods and fields and sky. 

12 



178 GARLAND OF SONG 

O, flowers and streams and birds ! You teach 

A lesson sweet and deep : — 
To share our joys, our smiles with all — 

With Him, alone, to weep! 



THE LAST TIME. 



I stand beside the schoolhouse door, 
The old red schoolhouse on the hill, 

And watch each little "student" bend 
Above his task with earnest wall. 

Back o'er the busy years I step, 

And call from out the walks of life. 

From lonely graves on land and sea. 

From scenes of peace and scenes of strife. 

The faces known so long ago ; 

Not one — not one — do I forget. 
I loved them then — I love them now. 

Though years have fled since last we met! 

O dear old schoolhouse ! Dearer still 
That I my last must look on thee ! 

Would I could cross thy threshold now 
The care free child I used to be! 

Farewell ! I turn a last, fond look 

On scenes endeared since childhood's days — 
On every tree, and stream, and flower, 

Along the old familiar ways. 



GARLANDOFSONG 179 

They say that wealth and fame will both 

Be mine beyond the sea ; 
That duty bids me break the bonds 

Dear home, 'twixt thee and me. 

But they may brighten as they will 

The future, and may tell 
Of duty's claims, but cannot take 

One pang from out ''Farewell !" 

The last, last time to look on home, 

On all I trust and prize — 
To hear no more the voice of love, 

To meet no more, love's eyes ! 

O bitter wound, that fame nor wealth, 

Nor duty e'en can heal ! 
That leaves the heart for many years 

Untouched by woe or weal ! 



TO AMY. 



When the Summer sun shone and the blossoms of light 

Were decking this fair world of ours. 
An Angel flew forth from his Heaven so bright 

And brought us the fairest of flowers. 
The "baby" he bore to her home on this earth 

To scatter love's fragrance for aye, 
To fill it with sunshine, with gladness and mirth 

Came Amy, just "three years" to-day! 



180 GARLAND OF SONG 

Three years ! Only three bHssful Summers of Ufe, 

And yet she has won every heart, 
By sweet guileless ways, by a spirit that's rife 

With beauties that ne'er will depart. 
The "pet of the household" she reigns as its queen, 

And cheerfully subjects obey. 
Such a dear little ruler there never was seen, 

As Amy, just three years to-day! 

Ah ! would that the eyes now so bright and so blue. 

Could never be dimmed by the tear ! 
That the love all around her, so earnest and true, 

In the struggle, could ever be near! 
But these, little one, the cold world cannot give, 

Its offerings, too soon, fade away, 
We'll ask the fair treasures that ever will live 

For Amy, j ust three years to-day ! 

O, Father of tenderness, Father of love. 

Of a love that will never depart. 
Send choicest of blessings from Heaven above. 

To the pet of a fond mother's heart ! 
Sweet Angels e'er guard her, the prized and the dear, 

Bring gifts that will never decay. 
To brighten the birthday we now welcome here 

Of Amy, just three years to-day! 



GARLAND OF SONG 181 

IN MEMORIAM. 
(Denis J. Swenie, ex-Fire Marshal of Chicago.) 

Toll, requiem bells! The ''Chief" is dead! 

The brave, the dauntless one ! 
Life's last "alarm" has struck above 

Chicago's noblest son ! 

And as he barkened during life 

To Duty's slightest call, 
So now all fearlessly he stepped 

Beneath Death's sable pall. 

For him, brave son of Mother Church, 

The shadows held no foe; 
The "Chief" had served his Master well, 

Why should he fear to go? 

They gather in the temple dim, 

The friends from far and near, 
To bring the tribute of their love 

In heartfelt prayer and tear. 

The comrades true who faced with him 

Full many an hour of dread. 
May think, while still the Kyries sob, — 

We followed, but he led. 

O, comrades of the days gone by, 

Although your "Chief" lies dead. 
Still walk along the path of Right, 

Still follow where he led. 



182 GARLAND OF SONG 



To her who loved him best of all, 
Who shared his every thought, 

Who gazes now on lonely ways 
With grief and longing fraught. 

We can but say: "The light still shines 

Beyond the darkened skies, 
And at the bend of lonely roads, 

God's peace eternal lies !" 

Toll, requiem bells ! The "Chief" lies dead ! 

But evermore there dwells 
The influence of his stainless life. 

Toll, toll, O requiem bells ! 



OLD AGE AND THE RAIN. 

All day long the rain is falling. 

Beating 'gainst the window pane, 
On the cottage roof 'tis pouring. 

In the garden, in the lane. 
I am musing where the firelight 

Throws its shadows on the w^all. 
Dreaming while with patter steady 

On my heart the raindrops fall ; 
Waking with their saddening music 

Voices from the years long fled. 
Ever thus since early childhood. 

Raindrops bring me back my dead ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 183 



On through all the lights and shadows 

Of a life of four-score years. 
Memory, blessed spirit, wanders, 

Now in smiles and now in tears. 
Treading, with her noiseless footsteps, 

Through the ever-changing Past, 
Laden now with trophies many. 

Back to me she comes at last ! 

Childhood dreams and girlhood fancies 

Flooded o'er with radiance bright, 
Woman's hopes and aspirations 

Glowing with more mellow light. 
Years when love made earth a heaven. 

Years when sorrow bowed the heart. 
Failures, triumphs, strangely blended. 

In my varied life have part. 

Which were dearest, which most happy 

Of these many chequered years? 
Were they days when woman, victor. 

Won by prayerful toil and tears? 
Or, when in the scene of splendor 

Dazzling eyes with all its light, 
There 'mid beauty, wat and talent, 

Hers shone brightest of the bright ? 

Ah, me, no ! I linger longest 
On the time when sunny youth 

Threw the guise of Fancy's figure 
O'er the form of sober truth. 



184 GARLAND OF SONG 



When the love that fond hearts yielded 

Filled with sunshine all my days. 
And no selfish, worldly feeling 

Dimmed the brightness of the rays. 
Yes, these were the dearest moments 

That my long, long life e'er knew, 
Friends and joys of happy childhood! 

O, had I but died with you ! 



The earth is now smiling, for sunset is glowing, 

The birds' merry music is heard ; 
The raindrops have ceased and the firelight is shining, 

The leaves by the soft wind are stirred ! 
Thus, thus, O my Savior, will life's lonely evening 

Light up with the sun of thy love. 
And soon thou wilt call me, thy earth-wearied creature, 

To rest with Thee ever above ! 



ON THE DEATH OF A BOY FRIEND. 

When youth is sending up its songs 

Of hope ; when roads, so smooth and white, 

Are stretching far ; when all things speak 
Of love, fruition and delight, 

'Tis hard, 'tis bitter hard to see 

Death's gloom envelop all ; 
Yet through the shadows steals a light, 

While words of comfort fall. 



GARLAND OF SONG 185 



*1 took him in his budding youth, 
But frost of sin can never bHght; 

I took him e'er he felt the wounds 
In hfe's unceasing, bitter fight. 

''I took him e'er he brought to you 

A cloud of grief; while still 
He was your own, your cherished child. 

Obedient to your every will. 

"I left him in your loving care, 

To soothe with all your tenderest art ; 

I took him when the soft June winds 
Were wafting homage to my heart.' 

'T took the son I lent to you. 

And bore him on to Heaven's joy; 

Before my heart he'll plead for you. 
And I will hear your darling boy." 

Dear hearts, so bowed beneath the rod, 
O let Faith's stream of sunshine flow. 

And let Gethsemane's sobbing prayer 
Be heard above your chord of woe! 

"Thy will, not ours, O God ! be done !" 
The Cross is hard, but Thou art nigh! 

O guide us on the narrow way 
Till heaven opens, bye and bye! 



186 GARLAND OF SONG 



JESUS' LAMENT. 

Is there none to approach his Lord's table to-day ? 

Not one that will make me His guest ? 
Are my children all deaf to the cry of my love? — 

"Come ye that are weary, and rest!" 

Are you free from all sorrow, all pain and all care, 

Is the earth such a peaceful abode 
That you need naught from Heaven to comfort and 
cheer, 

Or to guide you along the straight road ? 

Ah, no, my poor children ! deep darkness and sin 

And pain are too fruitful below. 
While I'm waiting to brighten, to cleanse, to relieve. 

With a love that no mortal can show. 

If you knew how I long to enfold in my arms 
The children my sufferings have won ! 

But you're turning away to the world I despise, 
Turning away from God's Son ! 

And back to my pure little home I return. 
To mourn the hard hearts of m.y own ; 

With my wounded hands clasped o'er my lance- 
pierced breast, 
I weep and I pray all alone. 

Alone ! though my angels in myriads kneel. 
And lay down their crowns at my throne. 

For my cry is unheard by the children of men. 
By those I love best, by m^y own ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 187 



For none will approach his Lord's table to-day, 
Not one will receive me His guest ! 

But my love is unceasing, 'tis waiting you still, 
"Come ve that are wearv and rest!" 



SONG OF ABSENCE. 

When thou wert nigh, the beaming skies 

Shone out in brighter blue, 
When thou wert nigh, the flowers of earth 

Took on a fairer hue. 
The brooklet's voice was sweeter far. 

The song bird's trill more clear. 
All Nature wore a richer garb 

When thou, beloved, wert near! 

The notes of joy rang blithely out 

When thou, dear one, wert nigh. 
And thou could'st ever lull to sleep 

A deep, deep sorrow's cry. 
But now the pain is borne alone, 

Unheeded falls the tear. 
And missed the depth Joy's music knew, 

When thou, beloved, wert near ! 

The rising sun that wakes the earth, 
Beholds a heart that longs for thee; 

The orb that sinks to rest at eve, 
That yearning spirit still can see; 



188 GARLAND OF SONG 



The twilight deepening into night, 

The stars that stud the darkened sky, 

Can Hst the same unceasing prayer, 
If thou, beloved, wert only nigh! 

The weary task will soon be done, 

The harvest borne above. 
We'll lose the Cross to wear the Crown 

Within our Home of Love. 
Back to their shrines will be restored 

The idols broken here. 
And God's own sunshine ever beam 

When thou, beloved, art near! 



STRAY THOUGHTS. 

You sing of the woe that o'ershadows the love 

Whose fragrance is shed at the feet 
Of the few who receive it, but will not return 

An incense as lavish and sweet. 
But think of the joy, of the heaven- fed bliss 

In the giving of love ever stored. 
And then you'll forget the embittering draught 

That over its sweetness is poured. 

We go with our friendship to some chosen heart, 

And giving, we give it for aye. 
Our lives then are changed, for the light of that love 

Plays 'round us by night and by day. 



GARLAND OF SONG 189 



But stop not to doubtingly question that love, 
Let our own be so strong and so true, 

'Twill master each feeling that threatens to rise 
And darken our skies' azure hue. 

There's many a soul that is stirred to its depths 

With feelings it never can tell. 
Whose life w^ork will be but to keep within bounds 

The love that too strongly would swell. 
And how do we know but the hearts we so prize 

Are brimming with love like our own, 
While over the struggle, the silence of years, 

Mayhap of a lifetime is thrown. 
But when we have passed from the valley below 

To the garden of Beauty above, 
The veil will be drawn and disclose to the eye. 

The depths of their half-expressed love. 



OCTOBER. 



With a step that is light and an eye that is bright. 

Come, gather the nuts that fall ; 
The rich, purple grapes and the apples that lie 

So thick by the orchard wall. 
Oh, a merry old month is October bluff. 

And rich in treasures is he! 
Go roam through the woods with him for a guide. 

And a storehouse vast you'll see ! 



190 GARLAND OF SONG 



FAREWELL. 

Only a few short months ago 

Thy hands in mine were laid, 
And smiles lit up the winsome face, 

So sweet in light or shade. 
All brightly then shone eyes of blue, 

While merry words we said ; 
I little dreamed when next we'd meet 

I'd bend above thee — dead! 

Dear hands, so cold, now yield me not 

The pressure fond of old. 
The heart, erstwhile so warm, stirs not 

Death's snowy garment's fold. 
Pure eyes are closed to all this earth's 

Dark scenes of pain and strife. 
And ne'er again will they be dimmed 

By sorrow in this life. 

With summer days thy spirit fled 

To realms than this more bright ; 
The Angels craved thy heart so pure 

To add to Heaven's light ! 
To keep a soul so chaste as thine 

Earth was too full of sin, 
So God threw wide the gates of pearl 

And bade thee enter in. 

O, sorely, sorely art thou missed 
By those who knew thy worth, 

But far more grievously thou'rt mourned 
By her who gave thee birth ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 191 



Thou wert the only ray of light 

That lit her Hfetime's day; 
Without thee, O how dark and drear 

Looms up her lonely way ! 

How can we soothe that stricken heart, 

How ease its heavy load? 
Naught can we do but weep with her 

And point to Calvary's road. 
Beneath His Cross the wounded soul 

Will find a healing balm, 
And to the spirit sore distressed 

Will come the restful calm. 



LEO XHL 



Leo is dead ! The message thrills a world 

That mourning kneels, and leaves beside his grave 

A tribute rich of prayers and tears and love. 

Christ's vicar, truly, both in name and deed. 

The fragrance of his life pervaded earth. 

The mighty bowed before his crystal mind, 

His spotless soul, that conquered where the sword 

Would fail. No king too proud to honor him ; 

No wit so keen his could not match its steel ; 

No battlefield of thought so full of foes 

That he would fear defeat; no warring factions 

Failed to heed his cry of "Peace !" 

No creed so narrow but it widened out 

Beneath the pressure of his well-filled life. 



192 GARLAND OF SONG 

''Lumen in coelo !" and the light still lives! 

Down through the coming ages will it burn ! 

"I am content !" Leo, thou well mayst be ! 

God's friend and humanity's on earth, mourned now 

By monarchs, diplomats and sons of toil. 

While from all hearts uplifts this prayer for thee, 

"Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord !" 



ANSWERED. 



Am I lonely? you ask. Take a look at those trees 
With their giant arms spread to the svv^eet Summer 

breeze ; 
How they woo and they win every soft breeze that plays 
Through the calm, restful nights and the long, glowing 

days ! 
Every leaf is a key ; every breeze is a note 
As clear as what pours from the forest bird's throat! 

They are singing of hope, for it seems but a day 
Since their boughs were all bare and the birds far 

away; 
Now they're decked out anew in their mantles of green 
While the birdlings are nestling their branches between. 
And Em nearer to God as I rest 'neath the trees, 
To drink in the music evoked by the breeze. 

See the moss at the roots! Ah, how firmly it clings, 
While of faithful affection it evermore sings I 



GARLAND OF SONG 193 



Of hearts that, once given, forever are leal, 
As staunch as the rocks and as true as the steel ! 
O blessings, dear moss, for the story you tell 
Of hearts that can love us so fondly and well ! 

Am I lonely ? you ask me. Ah, could you but hear 
The secrets they whisper, those giant trees near, 
How gladly you'd rest on the earth at their feet 
To listen with me to their murmurings sweet ! 
And nearer to heaven they'd draw you, I ween, 
Those grand, massive trees in their mantles of green! 



IN THE HAMMOCK. 

So lazily swinging and swinging 

In the shade of the maple trees, 
While the perfume of roses is wafted 

On the wings of the evening breeze. 
While the sun in its golden glory 

Seems close to the hilltops pressed. 
And the cloudlets are slowly sailing 

Away to the glowing West ! 

O wind that is scarcely stirring 

The leaves as you rustle by ! 
Will you let me whisper my wishes 

As afar to the South you fly ? — 
That you take from my lips their kisses. 

And out from my heart their prayer, 
Then away to my absent dear ones 

With your burden of love repair. 

13 



194 GARLAND OF SONG 

And when you bear them my greeting, 

linger awhile and see 
If eye or voice is betraying 

A single thought of me. 
And if you hear them whisper 

My name as their lips you greet, 
Speed back to me, gentle South Wind, 

And tell me your story sweet ! 

So swinging and swinging and watching, 
'Twixt the leaves, the blue of the sky, 

And hearing the patter over the stones 
Of the brook in the roadside nigh, 

I think of the home and its loved ones, 

1 dream of peace and rest, 

And seem so near to God as I gaze 
On the radiant, golden West! 



APRIL DAYS. 



You wake at last from slumbers deep, 

O buds and grasses green ! 
And all of nature's pulses throb 

At sight of Spring, the queen. 

What sweet, sad thoughts you bring to us, 
O month of sun and showers! 

What hopes as your own sunlight fair! 
What tears for buried hours! 



GARLAND OF SONG 195 



There's not a breeze but wafts to us 

Some memory of the dead, 
Some face or form we've loved and lost, 

Or hope forever fled ! 

And yet there's not a blade of grass 
That from the mold doth peep, 

But speaks the resurrection day 
For every joy asleep ! 

Full many a flower ere Spring departs 
Will droop its leaves and die; 

Full many a tender sapling rear 
Its head in pride on high. 

Aye, some will faint 'neath loads, and some 

Be victors in the end! 
And life and death and sun and shade 

Around us strangely blend. 

But list ! The minor tones run through 

My simple little strain — 
Come, let us strike a sweeter chord, 

A heartier refrain ! 



Let us sing of a faith in the dear, loving God, 
Whose touch is awaking from sleep 

The buds and the grasses, the clear waterfalls 
That merrily chatter and leap ! 

Let us go with our love to the dear ones who live, 
For the dead cease to weep and to sigh ! 

Ah! how often through life is all tenderness hid 
To be lavished on graves by and by ! 



196 CARL/1 XD OF SONG 



Let us seek through the world for the good and the 
true — 

We'll find them on every side, 
And with them at last through the portals of pearl 

May we pass with our souls sanctified! 



OUR NELLIE. 



She is lying asleep 'mid the lilies so fair — 

Our Nellie, as pure as they ; 
While the beautiful roses down at her feet 

Are breathing their lives away; 
With a smile of peace on her winsome face 

She lies like a child at rest; 
And O, dear God ! as our darling sleeps, 

'Tis so hard to say, ''It is best." 

O angel of death, if human love 

Were only as strong as thou, 
Would the joy of a home be resting there 

With thy signet on her brow? 
If thou couldst be moved by the prayers and the tears 

Of the hearts that treasured her best, 
Wouldst thou stretch out those arms of fearful strength 

And our prize away from us wrest ? 

List to the answer that floats through the air. 
List ! 'Tis as soft as the breath of a prayer, 
Gentle and tender as touches of wings. 
Sweet as a message the bird of Spring sings : 



GARLAND OF SONG 197 

" 'Love conld not hold her!' yon cry in your pain — 
Love 'twas that snapped her Hfe cords in twain ; 
Love — but not human. The love that's divine 
Spoke, and she slipped from your arms into mine. 
There she is nestling away from the storm, 
Safe from all dangers, protected from harm ; 
Close to my bosom I clasp her and fly 
Far to the Beulah land, far past the sky. 

'Teace ! She awaits her beloved over there ! 
Waits in the kingdom where woe enters ne'er ! 
Prays that the Father who chastens His own 
Lead kindly her dear ones in joy to His throne!" 
'Tis meet thou shouldst sleep 'mid those blossoms of 

light. 
As tender as they and as spotlessly white ; 
'Tis meet as we bear thee 'mid tears and with prayer 
That the snowflakes of purity circle the air. 
Then rest 'mid the lilies, our sweet, broken flower. 
We would not revive thee, if ours were the power; 
For the hand that has plucked is the hand of a God. 
We love Him ! We love Him ! though bowed 'neath 

His rod. 



UNREST. 



Down in the sweetest valley spot 

A pretty flower grew — 
The sparkling streamlet at its feet ; 

Above, the skies of blue. 



198 GARLAND OF SONG 

The velvet mosses clung to trees 
Where birds sang all the day, 

And naught but nature's voices broke 
The stillness of the way. 

Thrice happy was the little flower 

Until a bird's sweet lay 
Told her a tale of cities grand 

Beyond the valley's way. 

The little brook hummed cheeriest songs ; 

The dewdrop sparkled on the green ; 
The birds trilled on, and yet the flower 

Could see no beauty in the scene. 

For now a vague unrest had come ; 

The breezes heard her longing cry ; 
They bore her from her valley home 

And laid her 'neath the city sky. 

She ope'd her eyes — the timid flower — 
And shed her fragrance through the air, 

But on they rushed, th' unthinking crowd. 
Nor noted aught of beauty there. 

Poor slighted blossom, left alone. 
Now, now it longs for valleys fair! 

It sees a zephyr from the vale ; 

*'0 bear me home !" is all its prayer. 

Gently the soft south wind bent down ; 

The dying flower it bore along. 
To breathe its last sweet perfume where 

It first had heard the brooklet's song. 



GARLAND OF SONG 199 



The dewdrops decked the gHstening grass, 

Tears for the beauteous blossom dead. 
"Our God knows best ! O be content 
Where'er thou art," the brooklet said. 



CALLED AWAY. 



Life's valley lay with beauty filled, 

The songs of joy rang through the air, 

The skies of blue had not a cloud, 
And fragrance flooded everywhere. 

But like a flash from Summer skies, 
The beauty, peace, away had passed ; 

The storm burst forth in awful might, 
The Death King rode upon the blast ! 

The sparkling eyes, the sunny smile. 
The cheeks with tints of applebloom, 

The merry laugh, the silvery voice, 
Were hidden 'neath his robe of gloom. 

Like sleeping bride in robe of white. 

With beauty's stamp on cheek and brow. 

The loving mother, wife and child, 
In Death's embrace is lying now ! 

O Death! how couldst thou aim thy dart 

At her, so young, so fair ! 
While Love sat throned within her heart. 

And bliss reigned everywhere. 



200 GARLAND OF SONG 



No answer comes. God's ways to us 

Are mysteries profound, 
And still, the depths of His dear love, 

No human power can sound. 

No toilsome road is waiting her, 

No sorrow's heavy pall. 
No loss of love, no pang of grief, 

No bitter tears to fall. 

She slipped from arms of trusting love 

To seek the Heart Divine ! 
She fell asleep to waken where 

Eternal glories shine. 

Some day, O dear ones, stricken sore ! 

God's plans will be revealed. 
And seeds of sorrow spring as flowers 

In Heaven's celestial field ! 



TO AN OLD FRIEND. 

Another good-by to a dear old friend, 

Borne on o'er Death's dark wave ! 
Another wait on the sunset shore ! 

Another grassy grave ! 
And far beyond on the other side, 

In God's sweet peace at rest, 
She greets the waiting ones beloved. 

Forever, ever blest ! 



GARLAND OP SONG 201 

O big-, warm heart, life told to thee 

I^\ill many a varied tale 
Of sighs and songs, of toil and prayer, 

Ere Death took in the sail ! 

faithful, open-handed friend ! 
O pitying, tender soul ! 

No deed of thine has ever dimmed 
The whiteness of life's roll ! 

With arms around the daughter loved, 
So dear to thee and me, 

1 stand within the sunset rays 
And waft *'good-bye" to thee ! 

A ''God be with you !" dear old friend, 

Till death with ebon sails 
Has borne us o'er the shadowed stream 

To Light that never fails ! 



THE LESSON. 



I roamed the woods one summer day, 

When my heart was filled with vague unrest, 

For I dreamed that 'mid its shady paths 
IMight lurk the peace that makes man blest. 

Downward they bent their branches dark, 

The green, the leafy trees, 
And sighed with happiness to meet 

The kisses of the breeze. 



202 GARLAND OF SONG 



The little birds with notes of joy 

Awoke the echoes 'round, 
As swift they winged their merry flight 

Toward skies or mossy ground. 

The flowers lit up with hues of light 

The resting place they knew, 
And bloomed as fair when eve drew near 

As 'neath the morning dew. 

Each tree, each breeze, each grassy blade, 

Each flower of varied hue, 
Each bird that caroled o'er my head, 

Contentment happy knew. 

They did the work the Master gave. 
And naught they craved beside ; 

They lived to brighten earth for man, 
And, when God willed, they died. 

"Do likewise, restless soul !" they cried, 
'Then o'er the waves of discontent 
The Teace, be still' of olden days 
Will echo till the storm is spent!" 



MEMORIES. 



I kneel within the temple blest; 

Around float hymns of praise, 
And every note that soars aloft 

Bears thoughts of other days. 



GARLAND OF SONG 203 



I list to tones from out the past, 

So rich, so full, so rare. 
That but to hear them ever dulled 

The sense of pain and care. 

She sang as angels sing, methinks ; 

No dream of earth was there; 
She sang, and every note that fell 

Was still a heartfelt prayer. 

I do not heed the voices strange 
That ring 'round me to-day ; 

I list, instead, a voice I love 
From isles of "Far Away !" 

I live again the days of old. 

The happy, merry hours, 
When all life's skies were cloudless blue, 

Its pathways filled with flowers. 

The dream is o'er ! I know the past 

Is but a memory now ; 
That death has twined a chaplet dark 

Around its marble brow. 

Stillness within the temple reigns. 
But hark ! A tinkling bell ! 

Ah! there is One abiding here 
Who doeth all things well! 

There's One whose love is reaching out, 

Wide as the boundless sea ! 
Who holds within His sacred arms 

Those hearts I prize, and me! 



204 GARLAND OF SONG 



What matter if we lie apart 

By many a weary mile ! 
Though even death has stepped between, 

'Tis but "a little while !" 

"A little while" to work His will, 

And then the endless rest ; 
"A little while" of longing here. 

And then forever blest ! 



A HEART SONG. 



Vain to essay the task, dear friend, 

To paint thy noble worth ; 
Thy grace of mind, of heart, of soul, 

He knows who woke its birth. 
I would but whisper in thine ear 

Of love, a simple song, 
A strain from melodies that chime 

Within me loud and strong! 

heart to me so fondly true. 
You've shared my deepest woe, 

And searched and found the good that slept 
My many faults below ! 

1 said you soothed my heaviest griefs, 
But all my joy you never knew, 

For the sweet bliss your friendship brought 
Could not be spoken — e'en to you. 



GARLAND OF SONG 205 

And do you know the ]:)rayer I breathe 

This gladsome Easter day? 
'Tis that in death's dark hour thy love 

May be my strengthening stay. 
I will not fear that valley's gloom 

If thy dear face I see, 
If the sweet voice so well beloved, 

Will pray to Him for me! 

God bless you for your tender love, 

Your life so pure and true. 
Your counsel, that in doubting hours 

Clears shadows from my view. 
May angels guard thee still, beloved. 

And keep a place for me 
Deep in thy heart, unworthy though 

Of love like thine I be ! 



DOWN THE LANE. 

Peaceful as childhood's slumbers, 
Sweeter than youth's bright dreams, 

Filled with a wondrous beauty 
The scene around me seems. 

The sun's last rays are painting 

Beyond the western hills, 
Pictures so rare, so lovely. 

Each pulse within me thrills. 



206 GARLAND OF SONG 

Like a stream by grasses bordered, 

A line of silvery light, 
The footworn path is winding 

Away beyond the sight. 

The crickets chirp in the clover, 
The birds are still in the nest, 

And every breeze o'er the meadow 
Is softly whispering "Rest!" 

Full many and many a footstep 
Has echoed along this lane, 

And many a merry whistle, 
And many a sob of pain ! 

The springing step of the youthful, 
The faltering feet of the old; 

Hearts eager to read life's story, 
Hearts glad that the tale is told! 

Hearts crowded with eager yearnings. 
Hearts mourning their buried joy; 

Some seeing but gold the purest, 
And others the base alloy. 

O footworn path ! Though voiceless, 
You sing me a soft refrain. 

With swelling strains of gladness 
And minor tones of pain ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 207 



I love to wander along you, 
To dream my dreams alone, 

And list to the tales that are told me 
By the grass and the mossy stone ! 



THE PINE'S REPLY. 

"Why do you sigh, O stately Pine ! 

On the hill, this wintry day? 
Your branches are green ; the oak, the elm 

Are mourning their leaves' decay! 
The Ice King's touch has no power to chill 

The life blood in your veins ; 
Then why do you burden the passing winds 

With those doleful, saddening strains?" 

And this is the answer the Pine Tree made. 

As he ceased for awhile his moan : 
"I know that I'm robed in a mantle green, 

But I stand, thus decked, alone. 
See the oak and the elm I loved so well 

Bereft of their leafy crown; 
Ah, me ! each pang that they felt was mine. 

As their treasures fluttered down ! 

'*I strove with an aching heart to turn 

The blast of the storm on me ; 
Ah! could I but yield up my life for theirs, 
How happy and glad I'd be ! 



208 GARLAND OF SONG 



But pity and pleadings and loving were vain ; 

Leafless arms are outstretched to the skies, 
And for every deep scar that they carry, its mate 

Deep down in my heart depths lies." 



And I thought, as I turned from the sighing Pine, 
That the sharpest of pangs we know 

Is the grief that comes when we helpless gaze 
On a loved one's bitter woe ! 



CALLING THE COWS. 

Along the narrow grass-edged path 

That countless feet have trod, 
She dances on, the merry girl. 

With steps that spurn the sod. 
The birds and squirrels flitting past 

Are not so full of glee, 
While o'er the fields in ringing tones, 

"Co boss !" ''Co boss !" calls she. 

The slender maid with life's fair dawn. 

Toward noon just reaching out, 
Trips on with song more music-filled 

Than schoolgirl's merry shout ; 
It tells of airy castles built 

With hope and love as stones, 
While o'er the fields, ''Co boss ! Co boss !" 

Rings out in dulcet tones ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 209 



The woman, bent with toil and years, 

Goes slowly o'er the way ; 
The castles reared in early youth 

Have crumbled into clay. 
The weariness that's in her heart, 

Is echoed in her tone: — 
"Co boss ! Co boss !" The quavering cry 

Dies into sighing moan. 

Still Mother Nature's feast is spread, 

Let hearts be sad or gay ! 
Her songs re-echo whether gloom 

Or joy lie on our way ! 
And when the weary woman-heart 

Is resting 'neath the sod, 
Some young, glad voice will call "Co boss !' 

O'er path where once she trod. 



FATHER DAMIEN. 

O sing your requiems, waves and winds, 

On far off tropic shore! 
O mourn the Soldier of the Cross, 

Arms stacked forevermore! 
The weapons forged in Love's fierce flame 

Of sacrifice untold! 
And shining with the glittering gems 

Of abnegation's gold! 

14 



210 GARLAND OF SONG 

Dear father, 'twas a lonely way, 

Where waves moaned on the shore. 
While with their w^ailings rose the cry 

Of suffering evermore. 
Aye, lonely as the world defines, 

The loneliness of soul, 
But well we know the angels walked 

Beside thee to the goal! 

Treading within the Savior's steps, 

''And doing all things well;" 
Letting the light of Christian Hope 

Shine through Despair's dark cell, 
So like thy Master, hands upraised 

To serve and heal and bless, 
While to His little ones you gave 

The Father's pure caress. 

Within that far-off tropic isle 

The twilight splendor glows 
In dazzling hues for one brief space, 

And then as swiftly goes ; 
So thou when life was radiant with 

Thy splendid deeds of light, 
Saw deepening shadows gather round 

And fold thee in Death's night. 

But o'er the gloom of wind-swept grave, 

A star of beauty beams, 
And through its rays, to all the world, 

Thy martyr's halo gleams. 



GARLAND OF SONG 211 

While man remembers glorious deeds, 

Thy name shall live in light, 
For never Soldier of the Cross 

Died in a nobler fight ! 

O sigh your requiems, ocean winds, 

Above the martyred one! 
But clearer than your wailing rings 

The Master's sweet 'Well done!" 
No grander, purer, nobler soul 

E'er waged the war of God. 
Sleep on, O soldier of the Cross, 

Beneath the sea-girt sod ! 



CHRIST REIGNS ! 

In St. Vincent's Church, Chicago, as the midnight hour 
ushered in the century, the Sacred Host was enthroned on the 
altar, and above it electricity wrote in letters of light : "Christ 
Reigns." 

O glorious message, flashing forth 

Above the Host of white ! 
O grandest truth in fiery lines 

Beside the God of might ! 



Aye, Babe Divine of Bethlehem's Crib ! 

The Child of Nazareth's ways! 
The Man-God dying on the Cross ! 

Thy standard 'tis we raise I 

The Century dawns with all its hopes, 
Its joys and trembling fears, 



212 GARLAND OF SONG 

Its promises of future good, 
Mayhap its sin and tears ! 

Yet He who holds the endless years 

Within his grasp to-day, 
Will from the evil bring the good 

And wipe the tears away ! 

Christ Reigns ! O glorious, blissful truth, 
Flashed out above the shrine ! 

Christ Reigns ! O may His ''Kingdom come' 
Within thy heart and mine ! 



SISTER ST. GERTRUDE. 

"Our Lord has need of this flow'ret fair,' 
The Christmas Angels said. 
The stem was snapped ; the lily white 
In all its bloom lay dead. 

O spouse of Jesus, lying there, 
God's peace upon thy brow. 

How strange it seems to chant o'er thee 
The Misereres now ! 

More fitting far 'twould be to let 

The Glorias loudly ring, 
Or the Laudate's tones of praise 

Their flight above to wing. 



GARLAND OF SONG 213 



For when youth's roseate rays of dawn 
Streamed o'er life's flowery way, 

When "Home" outstretched its yearning arms 
And pleading, bade thee stay. 

Thou turned away; thine ears attuned 

To Heaven's rapturing strain, 
Thine eager eyes fixed far beyond 

Where walked the virgin train. 

And now the Christmas anthems ring, 
The Babe has claimed His own, 

The lily soul is with the Lamb 
Forever 'round the throne. 

O weeping ones, all bowed in grief 

Above your broken flower! 
Our tears for you who drink to-day 

The cup of Calvary's hour ! 

But He, the Babe Divine, who threw 

The gloom across your ways. 
Will send the sunshine of His love 

To light the darkened days. 

O give to Him the "Mary" loved 

Who "chose the better part !" 
And let the peace from Bethlehem's Crib 

Steal to each sorrowing heart! 



214 GARLAND OF SONG 



CHIMES FROM THE PAST. 

I list to the bells in the distance, 

To the chirrup of birds in the trees, 
To the swaying and sighing of branches, 

That are wooed by the evening breeze ! 
The clouds in their snowy beauty 

Sail over an azure sea, 
And I revel in all the sweetness, 

So lavishly scattered for me ! 

The day with its treasures of pleasure, 

Its laughter and merry jest, 
Is sailing in ships that are golden. 

Away to the far-off West! 
And I waft it a good-bye greeting, 

And I'm sorry to see it go, 
But I turn to the restful evening, 

With a heart that is all aglow ! 

How many an airy castle 

We rear in those sunset hours ! 
What matter it if it perish 

Like fairest of fragile flowers ! 
We taste in those fairy mansions 

The rarest of earthly joy, 
And forget, while Fancy builds them. 

That the gold has aught of alloy ! 

Like vesper bells in a village 
That nestles among the hills ! 

Like sweetest of silvery music 

That comes from the rippling rills ! 



GARLAND OF SONG 215 



Like soft, calm light from the moonbeams, 
Like all that is pure and clear, 

Are the thoughts that the evening bringeth 
To the heart that its song can hear ! 

could I but sing of the rapture 
The hour of the twilight e'er brings ! 

But only the faintest of echoes 

Respond to the touch of the strings ! 

1 wonder when Life's ship is saiHng 

Far off to the sunset shore, 
Will the same sweet peace be my portion, 
My own forevermore. 



itov m ii05 



